[Specific immunological reactivity in generalized forms of meningococcal infection in children].

The characteristics of immune responsiveness were studied in 455 children aged 2 months to 14 years with the generalized forms of meningococcal infection. In children of all age groups an increase in the titers of antibodies to meningococci was revealed; this increase started from day 4 of the disease, reached its maximum at the end of week 3 or the beginning of week 4 and correlated with the severity of the disease and the age of the patients. A drop in the IgG level in the course of the disease and a rise in the IgM level by the end of week 2 were observed. A decrease in the content of T-lymphocytes at the acute period of the disease and an increase in the number of B-lymphocytes, especially by the end of week 2 of the disease, were established.