Immunological study of typhoid: immunoglobulins, C3, antibodies, and leukocyte migration inhibition in patients with typhoid fever and TAB-vaccinated individuals

Abstract

The development of humoral and cell-mediated immune responses to Salmonella typhi antigens and immunoglobulin and C(3) levels were determined in patients suffering from typhoid fever, TAB-vaccinated individuals, and appropriate controls. In 45 patients with typhoid, a significant elevation of immunoglobulin M (IgM) level was noted from the first week of illness onwards. Eighteen TAB-vaccinated persons also showed a significant elevation of IgM levels. In typhoid sera, the anti-O and anti-H antibodies were mostly 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) sensitive. The rise of IgM level correlated well with the 2-ME-sensitive anti-O and anti-H antibodies seen in typhoid patients. The anti-O antibodies in the TAB-vaccinated group were almost entirely 2-ME sensitive, but both 2-ME-sensitive and -resistant anti-H antibodies were detected in the TAB group. A marked increas in C(3) level was also noted in patients with typhoid. The cell-mediated immunity (CMI), as measured by leukocyte migration inhibition tests, was demonstrable in 15 of 22 patients with typhoid. On the other hand, only 8 of the 20 normal subjects, 5 of the 16 fever control cases, and 6 of the 18 TAB-vaccinated individuals gave a positive CMI. The latter three groups were comparable with each other but were significantly different from the typhoid patients. It was concluded that TAB-vaccination did not induce CMI even though it induced the development of antibodies, the latter being comparable with those of the patients with typhoid. The significance of these findings is discussed.