Cellular and humoral immunity in elderly patients with chronic bronchitis and arteriosclerosis complications
Pasini, U.; de Carvalho Filho, E.T.; Netto, M.P.; Jacob Filho, W.; Oliveira, R.M.; Bueno, C.; de Carvalho, M.R.; Croce, J.
Revista do Hospital das Clinicas 43(2): 104-109
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-8781 PMID: 3247554 Document Number: 309141
The cellular immunity and the occurrence of auto-antibodies were investigated in patients of both sexes, 39 with chronic bronchitis and 30 with complications of atherosclerosis, according to the following division: from 65 to 74 years and from 75 years or more. The cellular immunity was evaluated by both, intradermal tests (PPD, tricophytin, candidine and varidase) and dinitrochlorobenzene sensitization test in respectively, 32 and 7 patients with chronic bronchitis; and in, respectively, 28 and 3 patients with complications of atherosclerosis. The auto-antibodies: anti-parietal cell, anti-smooth muscle, anti-glomerule, anti-mitochondria anti-collagen, anti-nucleus factor and rheumatoid factor were investigated in all patients. There were no differences, for all tests, between normal elderly subjects and both groups of patients. In the patients with chronic bronchitis the occurrence of less than two intradermal tests, negative dinitrochlorobenzene test, and positive anti-nucleus factor and rheumatoid factor were more frequent in more elderly than less elderly patients. Less than two positive intradermal tests, and positive rheumatoid factor were more frequent in men than in women. In the patients with complications of atherosclerosis there were no differences between patients more and less elderly, in spite of the percentage of positive auto-antibodies have been greater in the former. The results suggest the possible importance of the infection in the aggravation of immunologic disturbances in the elderly.