[Levels of interferon-dependent enzymes in urticaria patients, connected with frequent viral infections].

27 patients with relapsing and giant urticaria accompanied by multiple general respiratory viral infection and herpetism were studied during acute and remittent steps as compared with 13 healthy volunteers. 10 patients were treated with reaferon. Elevated rates of circulating interferon and interferon-dependent enzymes as well as a decreased ability of leukocytes and lymphocytes to produce alpha- and gamma-interferons were detected in these patients. Anomalous reactions of the interferon system were found in the patients with urticaria and general viral respiratory infection simultaneously with impairments of the immunity response: discorrelation between rates of interferon-dependent enzymes and circulating interferon. The course of interferon therapy within 5 days using recombinant alpha 2-interferon did not obviate these deteriorations, although activity of 2-5A synthetase tended to decrease down to the level observed in healthy persons.