[The immunogenetic status of patients with infectious endocarditis].

On the basis of a deep clinico-immunological examination of 23 patients with septic endocarditis it was established that HLA B35 antigen and haplotype A2-B35 are the most probable markers of the genetic predisposition to the development of infective endocarditis. Immune deficiency is accompanied by a decreased content of T-helpers, decreased activity of natural killers and phagocytic activity of granulocytes. A combination of a genetically determined defect of the immune response with a modification of histocompatibility antigens by infective agents, drugs (narcotics, antigens etc.) and other factors are thought to be of pathogenetic significance in the development of infective endocarditis.