The role of hypothalamic centres in the immune specific response.

Four groups of rats were bilaterally lesioned in the anterior, lateral, tuberal and mammillary areas of hypothalamus. Seven days later these rats, as well as controls, were immunized concomitantly with three antigens: Salmonella enteritidis, sheep red blood cells and Myxovirus influenzae A (H3N2). The primary and the secondary response were tested. The bacterial and erythrocytic antigens, with marked immunogenetic capacity, produced immune responses, which were not significantly influenced by hypothalamic lesions. The immune primary and secondary response to influenza A virus is wholly suppressed in animals with lesions in tuberal and mammillary areas of the hypothalamus. It is reduced in animals with lesions in lateral and anterior regions, as compared with controls. The secondary response is greater and more rapid in controls. It is reduced in animals with lesions in anterior and lateral hypothalamus and suppressed in those with lesions at tuberal and mammillary level. It therefore seems that the modulatory intervention of the hypothalamus in the immune process depends on the antigen, on the antigen, on the intensity of its direct effects on the immuno-competent and accessory cells and on the condition of the hypothalamic centers.

[Serological studies of the role of the respiratory syncytial virus in acute respiratory diseases in children]. / Investigatii serologice privind participarea virusului respirator sincitial în îmbolnavirile respiratorii acute la copii

The presence of the syncytial respiratory virus was determined by CF in 281 children admitted with acute respiratory diseases between 15 Sept. 1971 and 30 Dec. 1973, using the Long antigen prepared in the "St. Nicolau" Institute of Virology, Bucharest. In 38 children (13.5%) a serologic diagnosis of infection with the syncytial virus was established; in the other cases of respiratory infection of different etiology, antibodies to the syncytial virus were found in low but constant titers in both serum samples. The presence of these antibodies in a high proportion of the children points to the wide circulation of the syncytial virus in the infantile population, with all its clinico-epidemiologic implications.