ASSESSMENT OF THE IMMUNE AND INTERFERON S TATUS OF CHILDREN INFECTED WITH HERPES-SIMPLEX VIRUS LIVING AT TERRITORIES WITH INCREASED RADIATION BACKGROUND

Virological and immunological examinations were carried out in 52 chil dren aged 4 to 15 living at the Bryansk district territories contamina ted with radionuclides after the Chernobyl accident. The persistence o f herpes simplex virus (HSV) in the blood was detected by indirect imm unofluorescence in 90% of children, in 10% it was confirmed by the vir us isolation in vitro in a cell culture. Specific antibodies to HSV-1 and HSV-2 were detected by enzyme Immunoassay in 100% examines, in 50% their titers surpassed those ill the control group. Study of the cell -mediated immunity reactions showed increased spontaneous lymphocyte b lastogenesis in 46%, a functional defect of lymphocytes upon their non specific stimulation with PHA mitogen and increased antigen-dependent capacity of cells to proliferation in 45%, and increased levels of cir culating immune complexes in the blood and a tendency to increase of t he IgG and decrease of the IgA levels in the blood serum. In addition, a quantitative imbalance was revealed in the T-cell population. Study of interferon production revealed a reduced capacity of blood lymphoc ytes to produce gamma-interferon and an increased production of a inte rferon by leukocytes, as well as an increased level of circulating int erferon in the serum. These data indicate a decrease of the immune sta tus due to radiation and HSV infection.