1988 Volume 62 Issue 6 Pages 534-538
Immunological profiles of aged patients with Candida isolation from clinical materials (n=10) were determined in comparison with patients receiving antibiotics (n=10) and the healthy aged (n=42). Immunological profiles included lymphocyte-subpopulation of peripheral blood (Leu4, Leu3a, Leu2a, OKM, HLA-DR and Leu7) and NK activity measured by in vitro 51Cr release assay against K-562 targets. All patients were receiving antibiotics, when Candida was isolated from the clinical specimens. The number of Leu2a positive cells was significantly larger in the patients with Candida isolation than that of the healthy aged, whereas the ratio of Leu3a/Leu2a positive cells and the number of OKM1 positive cells were significantly lower. The number of HLA-DR positive cells in patients with Candida isolation was higher than that of the other two groups. Although the number of Leu7 positive cells was not different, NK activity was significantly higher in patients without Candida than in the other groups. NK activity may inhibit growth of Candida during antibiotic therapy, and the data may further confirm a defensive role of NK cells in natural resistance against some fungi in the human being.
