[The clinical assessment of macrophage functional activity in patients with protracted dysentery and its correction...

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Microbiology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Dysentery caused by Shigella flexneri 1b can lead to protracted illness.
• Macrophagal system disturbances, specifically suppressed phagocytic activity of macrophages (PAM), are observed early in the disease course.
• Standard polychemotherapy is administered to patients with persistent shigellosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the potential of combining lysozyme and vitamin E (tocopherol acetate) to correct macrophagal system disturbances.
• To assess the impact of this combination therapy on patients with a protracted course of Shigella flexneri 1b dysentery.
• To determine if lysozyme and vitamin E can improve the functional activity of the macrophagal system in these patients.

Main Methods:

• Studied patients with protracted dysentery caused by Shigella flexneri 1b.
• Monitored phagocytic activity of macrophages (PAM) as an indicator of macrophagal system function.
• Administered a combination of lysozyme and vitamin E (tocopherol acetate) to a subset of patients.

Main Results:

• Phagocytic activity of macrophages (PAM) was suppressed at the onset of dysentery.
• In patients receiving lysozyme and tocopherol acetate, PAM indices showed a tendency towards normalization.
• This normalization suggests a positive influence of the combined treatment on the macrophagal system's functional status.

Conclusions:

• Lysozyme and vitamin E combination therapy shows promise for correcting macrophagal system disturbances in protracted Shigella flexneri 1b dysentery.
• The observed normalization of PAM indices indicates a beneficial effect on macrophage functional activity.
• Further research may explore this therapeutic approach for managing immune system impairments in persistent infectious diseases.