Humoral factors of local immunity in shigellosis.

Secretory immunoglobulins and antibodies were studied in dysentery patients of various age groups and in healthy persons. It is established that the level of IgA (mostly sIgA)) in coprofiltrates of patients is considerably increased and that the local production of sIgA starts very short (in 2--3 days) after the beginning of the disease. Specific coproantibodies are chiefly sIgA-antibodies. Increase of IgG in coprofiltrates is observed at early stages of the disease and is evidently due to transudation of serum proteins through the damaged mucosal membrane. High concentration of IgM is found mostly in coprofiltrates of children and is evidently the result of its local synthesis. -- Local immune response in shigellosis develops independently of systemic antibody formation. Increase of serum IgA level and appearance of sIgA-antibodies in sera of patients show the participation of local antibody forming system in formation of systemic immunity in intestinal infections.