Cell mediated immunity in nutritional anaemia
Swarup-Mitra, S.; Sinha, A.K.
Indian Journal of Medical Research 79: 354-362
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5340 PMID: 6378780 Document Number: 233989
The role of Fe and folate on cell mediated immune (CMI) response in 58 Fe deficiency anemia (IDA) and 7 folic acid deficiency (FDA) patients was evaluated. In vitro studies showed that the number of T lymphocytes and incorporation of 3H-thymidine in DNA after PHA stimulation, was depressed in lymphocytes from IDA and FDA patients in comparison with control subjects. Functionally T lymphocytes of FDA patients show better response than those of IDA when evaluated by the activity of leukocyte migration inhibition factor in vitro using PHA as antigen (P = 0.002). In comparison with controls, both groups showed low values. Delayed hypersensitivity, which may be considered an in vivo model of CMI response, was tested and data comparable to controls were obtained in FDA patients while those in IDA were significantly lower (P = 0.0005). While the number of T lymphocytes was depressed in both IDA and FDA, the CMI response in the IDA group was affected to a greater extent. Following specific therapy improvement was noticed in all parameters in both groups.