[Cellular immune response and glomerulonephritis--their detection with the Tetamun intracutaneous test]

In the considerations of the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis more importance is attributed to cellular immune reactions. The cell-mediated immune response was examined by means of the Tetamun intracutaneous test in 37 patients with histological verified glomerulonephritis, in 18 patients with non-glomerular renal diseases, and in 25 healthy probands. The influence of main disease, renal insufficiency, nephrotic syndrome and immunosuppressive therapy on the test results could be determined by proper group formation. A significant diminution of cell-mediated immune reactions by the glomerulonephritis was verified. The importance of this finding in the pathogenetic routes and a possible model are discussed.