Immunomodulatory effects of laser therapy in the treatment of chronic tonsillitis

The aim of the presented pilot study was to examine possible stimulatory effect of He-Ne laser on the immune system. Eight patients suffering from chronic tonsilitis were within 9 days subjected to three consecutive doses of laser irradiation of tonsils and several immune parameters were determined prior to the treatment, shortly after its cessation and after 4 weeks of follow-up period. Shortly after the cessation of the treatment significant increase of secretory immunoglobulin A in saliva was observed which was followed by increase of IgA serum level after 4 weeks of follow-up. The significant increase of the relative proportion of CD4+ helper T-lymphocytes observed at the end of the follow-up period led to normalization of the CD4/CD8 ratio. As the changes described correlated with clinical improvement in 7 out of 8 patients it could be assumed that beneficial effect of lasertherapy in the treatment of chronic tonsilitis is mediated by modulatory influence on the immune system, especially on protective immunity and immunoregulation.