Study of leucocytic migration inhibition in acute hepatitis B in children

ABSTRACT

Total of 34 children [14 males and 10 females] were studied, 24 children suffered from acute hepatitis [B], their ages ranged from 5 to 14 years. They were selected from Abbasia Fever Hospital, another 10 healthy children were selected from Bab El-Shearea University Hospital, served as controls. Both groups were submitted to an adequate history, thorough examination and some investigations CBC, liver function tests and immunological test [migration inhibition test] of leucocytes were done early in the course of illness 1-2 weeks, then repeated every 2 weeks for a duration of 2 months for the available attending patients. Inhibition of leucocytic migration was found to be higher in patients than controls within 2 weeks of acute hepatitis [B] infection. It reached its peak within one month, then decreased and returned to normal range of the control within 2 months. Migration inhibition test [MIT] is a useful test for assessing the cell mediated immunity status of the patient with hepatitis [B] in response to HBs Ag in vitro abnormal changes [increase or decrease] in this reactivity in the recovery phase, rational close observation and follow up is of value to anticipate the sequela and complications of HBV infection