Plaque formation reaction as a criterion to evaluate the effectiveness of desensitization therapy in toxoplasmosis
Lebenzon, S.S.; Fridliand, K.I.
Meditsinskaia Parazitologiia i Parazitarnye Bolezni 47(5): 59-61
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-8326 PMID: 360028 Document Number: 128428
Toxoplasmin and thymus and liver tissue extracts from newborn babies (cadavers) were used as antigens [Ag] in treating 40 patients with chronic, acquired toxoplasmosis accompanied primarily by obstetric pathologies and damage to the eyes, CNS and locomotor apparatus. Before treatment, all patients revealed intensive plaque formation in reactions with the 3 substrates used as Ag. Thymus extracts produced the highest average percentage of plaque formation. Average percentage of spontaneous plaque formation was significantly lower than percentages for induced formation. After treatment all patients demonstrated a significant improvement in general condition and a decrease in expressiveness of the intracutaneous test with toxoplasmin. All patients demonstrated a decrease in plaque-formation reaction, so that the average percentages of reactions substantially differed from analogous indices before treatment. Spontaneous platelet formation also decreased. Such results indicated desensitization of T [thymus-derived]-lymphocytes, evidenced in the decrease in spontaneous and induced plaque formation.