[Role of the lymphocyte blast-transformation reaction in evaluating the immune system in rheumatic chorea]

Using the lymphocyte blast transformation test the authors examined 20 healthy and 84 sick (with rheumatic chorea) children. As antigens phytohemagglutinin and aqueous-saline extracts from brain and heart tissues were used. It was found that the graver the disease course, the higher the levels of the sensitized lymphocytes, and the lower the functional activity of the T-system. This was taken as the basis for the method of calculating the activity index of the cellular link of autoimmunity the magnitude of which reflects the patient's clinical state quite clearly. An idea on using a correcting therapy of rheumatic chorea is suggested.