Impairment of non-specific immunity in patients in persistent vegetative state.

In fourteen patients in persistent vegetative state (PVS) immune responsiveness was investigated. In particular, we studied the relationship between brain lesions following traumatic injury and immune system. In this respect, phagocytosis and killing of Candida albicans by polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) and monocytes were tested. In addition serum levels of Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were evaluated. The patients come out from PVS by 3-4 month were used as control group. Data shown a profound impairement of phagocytosis and killing of monocytes and low serum levels of IFN gamma when compared with normal values. Taken together, these findings suggest that brain lesions, may affect non-specific immune response.