A study on some immunological parameters in infants with salmonellosis

The phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclears from peripheral blood (PMN) and the qualitative characteristic of lymphocyte populations and circulating immune complexes (CIC) were studied dynamically in 35 infants with salmonellosis. The phagocytic activity of PMNs was evaluated by phagocytic index, phagocytic number, the absolute phagocytic index and the nitroblue tetrazolium test. Lymphocyte populations were determined by immunofluoroscent assay with monoclonal antibodies, and CIC by precipitation with polyethylene glycol. Decreased level of the PMNs phagocytic activity was found in the acute phase of salmonellosis. Both B- and T-lymphopenia with subset dysbalance associated with greater decrease of T4 lymphocytes were identified. During the convalescent period the immunological parameters of the bacteriologically healthy infants were close to normal whereas the Salmonella bacteria carriers demonstrated deviations which persisted in the acute phase of the disease. The immunological parameters studied can be used as additional diagnostic and prognostic criteria in infants with salmonellosis.