[Immunopositive and immunonegative forms of chronic pancreatitis]

The data are provided on the immune status in 108 patients with chronic pancreatitis. The authors revealed the immune responses toward pancreatic tissue, deoxyribonucleic acid and deoxyribonuclease. Based on the revealed autoimmune responses to the pancreatic tissue, two patterns of chronic pancreatitis were distinguished: the immunopositive and immunonegative. It is suggested that immunologic mechanisms are involved into the pathogenesis of the immunopositive pattern of chronic pancreatitis.