Some approaches to experimental testing of drugs for immunotoxicity

The paper deals with the experimental testing of drugs for immunotoxicity. Pharmacological substances used in the medical practice for long periods of time have been studied. The preliminary screening of drugs for possible immunotoxic effect consists of examination of its effects on the weight of lymphoid organs (spleen and thymus), on antibody production (plaque-forming cells and serum hemagglutinins), on serum levels of IgG and IgM and on serum complement (in vivo and in vitro). The toxicological appraisal of the results from this first step screening gives ground for further and more detailed studies on the substances that present interesting properties with regard to the modification of immune system.