[Cellular immunity reactions in herpetic eye infection]

The dynamics of leukocyte migration inhibition test (LMIT) and blast-transformation (BT) with herpes antigen were studied in 132 patients with ophthalmoherpes, 40 patients with obscure etiology of the eye disease and 40 normal donors. The specific response in LMTT was manifested by both inhibition and stimulation of leukocyte migration. Specific inhibition of leukocyte migration is detected mostly in exacerbations of the clinical process and may serve as a diagnostic sign of activation of herpetic infection in the patient. The specific blast-transformation in the group of patients with ophthalmoherpes was much higher by the rate and level if reaction than in control groups. The maximum level of BTT (up to 25%) was demonstrated in the favourable course of the disease; in severe processes the level was low (up to 2.7%) or the capacity of blast formation was lacking. The test may be prognostic in herpes infections of the eyes.