[Diagnostic value of the detection of serum antibodies to corticosteroma homogenates in primary chronic adrenal gland insufficiency].

To differentiate tuberculous and autoimmune affections of the adrenal cortex the Mantoux test was made in 15 patients with primary chronic adrenal insufficiency (PCAI), indirect hemagglutination with tuberculin antigen was performed and antibody titre to corticosteroma homogenate antigens was determined, in addition to the clinical pattern examination, by means of passive hemagglutination (the Boyden test). Antibodies to antigens from corticosteroma cells in the high titre (1 : 10240) were found in 5 of 6 patients without tuberculous affection of adrenals and in 4 of 9 subjects with adrenal tuberculosis. The study of the level of antibodies to corticosteroma homogenate antigens in the blood serum of patients suffering from PCAI cannot serve as a reliable criterion for differentiating the tuberculous affection and adrenal cortex destructive atrophy, often induced by autoimmune process.