[Organ specificity and cytotoxic properties af autoantibodies in brucellosis]

The presence of freely circulating autoantibodies was studied in patients with various clinical forms of brucellosis. Autoantibodies to the tissues of the liver, lymph nodes, spleen and the heart were revealed in the patients with acute, subacute, and chronic brucellosis. Investigations directed to ascertain the biological role of autoantibodies in brucellosis pointed to the organ specificity. Results of determination of the influence of the circulating antibodies on the intensity of tissue respiration and the processes of dehydration in the hepatic tissue showed antihepatic autoantibodies to produce a cytotoxic (aggressive) action. This confirmed a definite significance of autoimmune processes in the pathogenesis of brucellosis.