LYMPHOCYTOTOXINS IN EPILEPTIC PATIENTS RECEIVING PHENYTOIN

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 30 (1), 56-61
Abstract
The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and nature of lymphocytotoxic antibodies in patients receiving phenytoin. Of 46 sera examined, lymphocytotoxins and antinuclear antibodies were detected in 14 and 11 samples, respectively. Antibodies to double-stranded RNA (poly-A.sbd.poly-U) were found in 6 of 38 sera studied. A highly significant correlation was found between the presence of lymphocytotoxins and antinuclear antibodies (.chi.2 = 9.72; P < 0.01). Lymphocytotoxins were of the Ig[immunoglobulin]M class, had activity against T [thymus-derived] and B [bone marrow-derived] cells, and were dependent on the presence of Ca and Mg ions for activity. These findings may have pathogenetic importance in the genesis of the altered immune state of patients receiving phenytoin.