[T-suppressors and their functional activity in tuberculosis in middle-aged and elderly subjects]

The role of T-suppressor cells in regulation of the immune response in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and in healthy persons in regard to their age was studied. 226 persons were examined. The findings showed that ageing was accompanied by an increase in the functional activity of T-suppressor cells. In the elderly and senile persons with active tuberculosis there were observed higher counts of T-suppressor cells and their increased specific and nonspecific activity. With aggravation of the tuberculosis process the lymphocyte activity increased. These shifts were likely to be the basis of incomplete immune responses to tubercle bacilli in elderly and senile patients with tuberculosis.