[Autosensitization of neurosurgical cases by normal brain tissue antigens (author's transl)]

The leukocyte reactions of 106 neurosurgical cases, including 63 brain tumors, 10 intracerebral hematomas, 10 cerebral infarctions, 10 subarachnoidal hemorrhages, 8 cerebral injuries and 5 chronic subdural hematomas, against the extracts of gliomas and normal brain tissues were tested by capillary migration (LMI) and adherence inhibition (LAI) assays. Both tests showed specific responses with autochthonous and allogeneic glioma extracts in glioma patients. The sensitivity of LAI was superior to that of LMI, although LAI also showed adherence enhancement in the presence of weakly sensitized leukocytes or weak antigenic stimuli. Leukocytes from glioma patients showed positive inhibition with normal brain tissues from patients with glioma and intracerebral hematoma. Positive leukocyte reactions with normal brain tissues were also confirmed in patients with intracerebral hematomas, cerebral infarctions and severe cerebral lacerations, but not in those with subarachnoidal hemorrhages, minor cerebral contusions and chronic subdural hematomas. These results suggest that the leukocytes of patients with destructive brain lesions were autosensitized by normal brain antigens. The autosensitization has some advantages in that destroyed brain tissues are eliminated, but the hyperimmune state might cause postictal brain edema and should be properly controlled by steroids.