Immunoprofile studies in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. II. Correlation of levels of different classes of immunoglobulins and specific antibodies with the extent of tuberculosis.

Humoral immune response of patients with newly detected, bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis was determined prior to initiation of chemotherapy. Correlation with the extent of the disease was studied. A significant rise in the IgA and IgG levels in the serum was observed, the increase in the IgA levels correlated with the extent of the disease. In tuberculous patients elevated levels of anti-OT (ppd) antibodies were found by haemaggluination, but no marked correlation was observed with the extent of the disease. There was no interrelationship between the IgA or IgG increase and that of specific anti-OT (PPD) antibodies. The importance of the mentioned findings is discussed.