[Hypoparathyroidismus following L-asparaginase and vaccinia virus infection. Effect of hypocalcemia on phagocytosis and the function of lymphocytes].

Rabbits, treated with injections of 4000 IU of L-Asparaginase, develop the clinical and chemical signs of hypoparathyroidism. A simultaneous vaccination with vaccinia virus (strain "Elstree") markedly increase the tetanic symptoms ("conditioned deficiency"). L-Asparaginase may influence the cellular immunity by hypocalcemia. Two mechanisms are discussed: 1. the suppression of the phagocytosis, recognizable by the absence of signs for vaccinal allergy by deficiency of macrophages in the intradermal test with inactivated small-pox vaccine. 2. the inhibition of the PHA-induced lymphocyte transformation caused by deficiency of calcium ions.