Immunity and the possibilities for immunomodulation in acute pyelonephritis

The paper presents evidence on dysfunction of natural killer cells and abnormal proliferative response of peripheral blood mononuclears to T- and B-cell mitogens (PHA, Phytolacca) in patients at varying stages of acute pyelonephritis. A number of immunomodulators (recombinant alpha 2-interferon, IL-2 and tactivin) produce different effects on natural killer activity and lymphocyte blast transformation in healthy donors and pyelonephritis patients. Immunotropic effects of immunopeptides depend on the drug dose, the response of various subpopulations of the immunocompetent cells being individual. It is suggested that immune system, natural killer activity in particular, plays an important part in pathogenesis of acute pyelonephritis. In vitro experiments demonstrate that there can be a positive clinical response to tactivin and recombinant alpha 2-interferon administered in doses activating the function of certain immunocompetent cells.