[Cellular and humoral cytotoxicity indices in children with glomerulonephritis].

Altogether 35 children suffering from different forms of glomerulonephritis were examined. It has been shown that in the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis in children, an appreciable role is played not only by the action of pathogenic immune complexes but also by the mechanism of antibody-dependent cytotoxicity due to K-cells and lymphocytotoxicity, influencing the regulatory subpopulations of immunocompetent cells and acting directly on the structures of renal tissue. The nephrotic syndrome is characterized by the enhancement of serum lymphocytotoxicity whereas the nephritic syndrome by a rise in the blood of circulating immune complexes. In view of the fact that the process may become chronic, the rise of the activity of K-cells, of the level of lymphocytotoxins and the absence from the serum of circulating immune complexes should be regarded as unfavourable prognostic criteria.