[Diagnostic and prognostic value of humoral immune status indices for alimentary system diseases]

The paper describes the results of studying the immune status of 1,960 patients with stomach, pancreas, liver, gall bladder, small and large intestine disorders, who were treated in the Central Research Institute of Gastroenterology. The results of the study demonstrate that alimentary system diseases are concomitant with changes in the functional activity of the immune system and development of the systemic immune response aimed at the neutralization and elimination of pathogenic agents. Impaired regulatory and efferent lymphocyte capacities, increased synthesis of cytokines, immunoglobulins, heterologous (anti-viral, anti-bacterial or antigliadin), autologous (to parietal cells, microsome mitochondria, tissue transglutaminase) antibodies, formation of immune complexes, autoimmune reactions and secondary immunodeficiency are specific immune mechanisms of the pathological process development, its synchronization and progression in patients with alimentary system diseases. Changes in the immunological status indices are expressed in varying degree depending on the organ involved, etiological factor, clinical course and stage of the disease, as well as treatment used. The immunological status indices have maximal values in cases of chronic hepatitis, hepatic cirrhosis, peptic or duodenal ulcer, cholelithiasis, chronic pancreatitis, gluten-sensitive enteropathy and minimal values in cases of chronic gastritis, gastroesophageal disease, steatohepatitis and irritable bowel syndrome. These data are sufficient for developing an algorithm of immune diagnostics for a number of alimentary system diseases. The study of immune status indices is of great diagnostic and prognostic value as it defines the etiological factor, intensity of inflammatory, infectious and autoimmune processes as well as disease stage and activity, its forecast and the efficacy of treatment of alimentary system diseases.