A Study on the Change of Serum Immunoglobulin and T-cell Count in Nephrotic Syndrome & Various Meningitides

ABSTRACT

A study was conducted on T-cell function, utilizing active & total T-lymphocyte count according to Minowata method, and B-cell function, using irrgnunoe4ctrophoresjp. Total 41 children (10 with nephrotic syadrome, 26 with meningitides, & 5 with frequent pneumonia) were entered into study group, all of them were admitted to our pediatric department during 11 months period from November, 1978 to September, 1979, As control, 22 healthy children were chosen, divided into various age groups. Following results were obtained 1. T-cell count on normal children (total 59.4+/-0. 6, active 27.2+/-0.9%) were slightly less than that of normal adult (total 68. 2+/-0. 8, active 33. 0+/-1.9%), P value being<0.01. 2. In most cases of severe tuberculous meningitis (stage III), active T-cell count was severely depressed. However, changes of immunoglobulin & T-cell count in the other meningitides & frequent pneumonia patients were variable & inconsistant. 3. In nephrotic syndrome patients, total T-cell count was decreased in 50%, active T-cell count in 70%, and serum immunoglobulin was also decreased in 90% (9 out of 10 patients).