[Immunostimulating effect of synthetic surface-active agents in experimental tuberculosis]

The influence of synthetic surfactants of different classes (BX-14, O-14, B-14) on an immunologic reactivity of mice with evolving experimental tuberculosis was studied. The use of the substances leads to an increase of the E-rosette forming cells (E-RFC) in the mice thymus gland and spleen, and stimulates the inhibited function of spleen natural killers, without modifying (except the agent O-14) the cytotoxicity level of thymus gland natural killers. The above substances can enhance the absorbing capacity of the spleen macrophages as well as their ability to reduce nitro blue tetrazolium. Attention is drawn to the possibility of using immunostimulators belonging to a group of surfactants to correct immunologic reactivity impairments caused by tuberculosis.