TETANUS ANTITOXIN PRODUCTION AND GAMMA GLOBULIN LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER

Abstract

Abstract. Antibody response to tetanus toxoid in patients with hepatic cirrhosis and in controls has been compared. No significant difference can be demonstrated. The antibody responses in twenty‐four patients with hepatic cirrhosis are compared with the serum concentrations of γ G, γ A and γ M at the time of the second injection. No relationship can be demonstrated between antibody response and gamma globulin level. These results would favor the hypothesis that the high gamma globulin concentration found in hepatic cirrhosis is not due to an increased immunologic potential, but rather to an increased antigenic influence.