Immune function in patients with chromosome deletions

Non-specific, cell-mediated and humoral immunity were evaluated in six patients with different autosomal deletions, and in two patients with X-chromosome deletions. Six had an increased number of bacterial, viral, and mycotic infections. Mild disturbances were found in the immunological functions of almost every patient. Granulocyte phagocytosis and killing of bacteria were normal in all patients. The chemotactic response was increased in two, and normal in the others. The responses to phytohaemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogen were normal in all patients and the response to concanavalin A was decreased in one patient. The lymphocyte response to purified protein derivative was decreased in the patients as a group when compared to the controls (P less than 0 . 005), but normal to oidiomycin. The number of acid-alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase positive cells was low in four patients. One had a high titre of antinuclear and antithyroid antibodies. One had a low concentration of serum IgA, C3 and C4. One had a high concentration of IgM. Two had elevated levels of C3 and C4. Our results show that several different chromosomal deletions are associated with immunological abnormality.