[The interferon system in chronic brucellosis]

The purpose of the paper was to evaluate activity of interferon system in a group of patients with chronic brucellosis. Trial was performed in 21 persons: 10-with active and 11-with non active disease. "Whole blood test" was used to induce interferon by peripheral blood leucocytes after stimulation with antigens: non specific (NDV, LPS, PHA + PMA) and specific (Brucella). There was no difference between examined and control groups in interferon induction by non specific factors. This indicates correct functions by interferon system in chronic brucellosis. Relatively, after stimulation by specific antigens 4-fold increase of endogenic interferon (alfa and gamma) was observed. These results suggest that chronic brucellosis (active and non active) in still immunologically active and pathological changes depend on delayed hypersensitivity. We conclude, that this method seems to be deciding diagnostic test in latent brucellosis.