Abstract
Immunological studies were performed on patients with aortitis syndrome, Buerger's disease and Raynaud's syndrome. Immunological analysis of serum protein, delayed hypersensitibity, T-cell, stimulation index by phytohemagglutinin and leucocyte migration inhibition tests were investigated.
Definite increase of α1-antitrypsin and haptoglobin, C3 and C4 was found in patients with aortitis syndrome, especially in active stage, while not in patients with Buerger's disease except those with ischemic ulcer.
High incidence of negative skin tests, and significant decrease of T-cell and stimulation index were found in aortitis syndrome, while not significant in Buerger's disease.
It was concluded that cell-mediated immunity was significantly decreased in the former.
These findings are suggestive of the participation of immunological mechanism in development of aortitis syndrome, although not denied in Buerger's disease.
Brief review of recent advances in this field was also given.
