Evaluation of cellular and humoral immunity in elderly subjects
De Carvalho Filho, E.T.; Netto, M.P.; Pasini, U.; Oliveira, R.M.; Bueno, C.; Okumura, Y.; de Carvalho, M.R.; Croce, J.
Revista do Hospital das Clinicas 42(5): 213-217
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-8781 PMID: 3454067 Document Number: 296645
A study was made of the cellular immunity and auto-antibodies in normal elderly subjects between 65 ans 91 years old, according to the following age group division: from 65 to 74 years and from 75 to 91 years. The cellular immunity was evaluated both by the dinitrochlorobenzene sensitization test and by intradermal tests (PPD trichophytin, candidine and varidase) in respectively, 22 and 94 subjects. The auto-antibodies investigated were: anti-parietal cell, anti-smooth muscle, anti-glomerule, anti-mitochondria, anticollagen, rheumatoid factor and antinucleus factor. Of these, the first four were investigated in 52 subjects, whereas the last three were investigated in 104 subjects. The results indicated that there is a lower incidence of subjects with positive dinitrochlorobenzene test and two or more positive intradermal tests as compared with those in the younger age group. The former also occurred more frequently in men than in women. Furthermore, the results showed high levels of auto-antibodies as compared to younger individuals, whereas the antinucleus factor levels in the elderly, is higher in the group with more than 75 years. The above conclusions indicate the presence of significant alterations in cellular immunity and high levels of auto-antibodies in elderly subjects and surmise the validity of the immunological theory of aging.