Antiviral immunity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia measured by anti-rubella antibody.

BACKGROUND

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the most common form of adult leukemia in Caucasian populations, is characterized by a decrease in anti-infective immunity. Clinical evidence of antiviral immunity decrease is the reactivation of herpes virus in the form of skin lesions. In Europe, rubella infection is common and creates lifelong persistence of IgG antibodies.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of our study was to determine whether hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) rubella test can be used to determine antiviral immunity in CLL patients.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The titers of the HAI test against rubella were examined in a group of 26 healthy subjects, 7 subjects with herpes labialis infection and 56 patients with CLL, among which 9 patients were co-infected with herpes virus.

RESULTS

Statistical tests have shown differences between groups and a significant decrease of the titers of the test in patients with CLL, compared with healthy persons and the herpes group compared with other persons.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate a significant decrease of antiviral immunity in patients with CLL and persons with herpes-type skin lesions. Simultaneously, relying on our previous studies, we also suggest that the result of this test may be an important indicator of antiviral immunity in patients with CLL.