The immune response to phi chi 174 in man. II. Primary and secondary antibody production in patients with Crohn's disease.

10 patients with Crohn's disease in various states of activity have been injected with 3.3 times 10-9 plaque-forming units of the bacteriophage phi chi 174, as a test for their capacity to produce antibodies. 9 patients had a completely normal primary and secondary antibody response. One patient had higher levels of preimmunization antibodies than have been encountered in normal subjects and developed a secondary (IgG) response to the first dose of antigen. We conclude that there is no evidence of a general disturbance of antibody-producing capacity in subjects with Crohn's disease.