Immune shifts and their correction in the extremely severe course of diffuse suppurative peritonitis in children

Clinical and immunological studies of 65 patients with extremely severe disseminated suppurative peritonitis have revealed profound disturbances in their immune status. A considerable (2.5-3-fold) decrease in phagocytosis and complement activity, a drastic drop in T-, B-lymphocyte and T-helper content and a depression in T-lymphocyte functional activity have been observed. All this was accompanied by the activation of allergic and autoimmune reactions. Single transfusion of extracorporally X-ray-irradiated autoblood (5-7% of circulating blood volume) promoted an earlier normalization of the patients' critical condition and a prompt correction of the immune shifts.