[Status of cellular immunity in patients with Astrakhan fever]. / Sostoianie kletochnogo immuniteta u bol'nykh astrakhanskoi likhoradkoi.

AIM: To ascertain regularities of development of cellular immunity in patients with Astrakhan fever (AF) with reference to AF severity, treatment and course. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cellular factors of immunity--relative and absolute contents of T-lymphocytes (early and late), T-helpers and T-suppressors, B-lymphocytes, neutrophils (early and late)--were studied in 75 patients with AF (63 patients with moderate and 12 patients with severe disease) in the course of the disease progression (weeks 1-5). The patients received antibacterial treatment--doxicyclin, rifampicin and doxicycline in combination with alpha 2-realdiron and gamma-reaferon. RESULTS: Examination of immunocompetent cells has revealed suppression of T- and B-immunity for 2 weeks in moderate AF and 3 weeks in severe AF. The number of T-helpers was low for 3 weeks while of T-suppressors rose beginning from week 2. Immunoregulatory index Tx/Tc remains low till the end of the disease. The number of early and late neutrophils increased since weeks 2 of the disease in moderate and week 3 in severe AF. CONCLUSION: Doxicycline efficiency was higher than that of rifampicin. Interferon preparations decrease relative number of early and late T-lymphocytes, neutrocytes and T-helpers but their absolute number is at the control level. Relative content of T-suppressors and B-lymphocytes is as in controls but their absolute content is higher.

[Medium molecular weight molecules and their fractions in Astrakhan rickettsial fever]. / Srednie molekuly i ikh fraktsii pri Astrakhanskoi rikketsioznoi likhoradke.

The level of medium-weight molecules (MWM) over the course of disease and changes in the lipid share of MWM fractions at the peak of disease were studied in patients with Astrakhan rickettsial fever (ARF). The level of MWM was significantly increased in comparison with the control and MWM concentration clearly correlated with the severity of intoxication. A level higher than 600 U is an unfavorable sign of a grave course. The significance of the lipid part of MWM fraction in the formation of the intoxication syndrome in ARF is shown.

[Interferon efficacy in treating patients with Astrakhan fever]. / Effektivnost' interferonov pri lechenii bol'nykh astrakhanskoi likhoradkoi.

Astrakhan fever is a new endemic rickettsiosis belonging to the group of tick-borne spotted fevers. Adjuvant use of interferons in basic treatment of Astrakhan fever elevates its efficacy. The maximal contribution of interferons can be reached at administration of alpha-2 and gamma-interferons in daily doses 15,000-25,000 and 1500-2500 IU/kg, respectively. The response is higher at early administration of the medication. Interferons induce side effects early in the course: intensification of hyperthermia and pains.

[The primary effect and characteristics of the course of a new tick-borne rickettsiosis--Astrakhan fever]. / Pervichnyi éffekt i osobennosti techeniia novogo kleshchevogo rikketsioza--astrakhanskoi likhoradki.

Clinicomorphological characteristics are given of primary reaction at the site of tick (Rhipicephalus pumilio) bite in new rickettsiosis spreading in Astrakhan Province--Astrakhan fever. The disease presented with long-term fever (body temperature 39-40 degrees C), intoxication, conjunctivitis, hepatomegaly, regional lymphadenitis, disseminated roseolous papular-hemorrhagic rash, arterial hypotension.

[Formation of interpolymer complexes with human seminal plasma proteins]. / Obrazovanie interpolimernykh kompleksov belkami semennoi plazmy cheloveka.

Formation of interpolymeric complexes was studied involving human lactoferrin, prostate beta-globulin, specific acid phosphatase and polymers of various nature: polysaccharides--heparin, dextran sulfate; polylysine-16; proteins--human albumin, equine hemoglobin, gelatin, protamine. Immunoelectrophoresis proved to be a sensitive procedure to register the interpolymeric complexes formed. Electrophoretic mobility of lactoferrin and prostatic beta-globulin was most distinctly altered. Mechanisms of the complexes formation, including ionic and hydrophobic interactions, are discussed.

[Immuno-chemical and physico-chemical properties of human prostatic beta-globulin]. / Immunokhimicheskie i fiziko-khimicheskie svoistva prostaticheskogo beta-globulina cheloveka.

Distribution of prostate beta-globulin in tissues was studied by means of rocket-linear immunoelectrophoresis. The concentration of protein, exceeding 0.1 microgram/ml, was detected only in prostate extracts, seminal plasma and prostatic fluid. Purification of human prostate beta-globulin and its main physico-chemical properties are described. The charge of the protein molecule was altered under influence of various factors. A minor carbohydrate component was detected in the prostate beta-globulin; the protein was found to interact noncovalently with heteropolysaccharides (heparin, dextran sulfate).