The role of vaccinia virus in the evolution of some human hemopathies.

Six cases of severe hemopathy, detected following smallpox revaccination are described. Their onset was favoured by vaccinia virus-induced suppression of cell-mediated and humoral immunity. In two leukemia patients humoral immunity was present, but insufficient to assure protection of the diseased organisms, the outcome being fatal. The pancytopenia syndrome recorded in 4 patients with anergy caused by autoimmune mechanisms had different outcomes: favourable in 2 cases and fatal in the other 2 patients, who died within 4 years.