[Determination of red blood cell immune functions in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis].

Red blood cell immune functions were determined in 106 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (tbc) and in 37 blood donors as a control group. In control group, RBC-C3bRR was 17.2 +/- 6.5%, RBC-ICR was 4.0 +/- 2.2%. In the group, both RBC-C3bRR and RBC-ICR levels were elevated in 23 patients, only RBC-C3bRR level or RBC-ICR level rose in 40 or 31 cases respectively. so, 88.6% of patients showed elevation of RBC immune function. The pathological changes were also correlated with the level of RBC-ICR, RBC-C3bRR significantly (P < 0.01). The authors suggested that the measurement of RBC immune functions might be useful in diagnosis, assessment of the severity and outcome of pulmonary tuberculosis.