[Systemic and local immunity problems in protracted and chronic dysentery in children]

The results of the study of systemic and local immunity in cases of prolonged and chronic dysentery in children are presented. These results indicate that a decrease in the levels of immunoglobulins and specific IgM and IgA antibodies in the blood serum and coprofiltrates was observed as the process became chronic. The titer of specific IgG antibodies in the serum remained on a relatively high level, thus indicating the presence of the active infectious process. The low level of specific IgA antibodies correlated with a decrease in IgA-producing cells in the mucosa of the large intestine, which suggested that this form of the disease was accompanied by disturbances in the mechanisms of local immunity.