[Chronic liver diseases: secondary thymic insufficiency and immunocorrection with T-activin].

105 patients with chronic diffuse diseases of the liver were examined clinically, biochemically and immunologically. The examination included investigation of serum thymic activity, subpopulation of peripheral blood lymphocytes using monoclonal antibodies, immunoglobulins (A, M, G) and CIC. Thymic activity in the serum was low in chronic persistent hepatitis, much lower in chronic active hepatitis and the lowest in hepatic cirrhosis. Thymic activity correlated with the process activity and compensation, peripheral blood levels of T-lymphocytes, T-helpers, T-suppressors. The conclusion is made on thymic deficiency in chronic diffuse hepatic diseases. Correction of chronic secondary thymic insufficiency with T-activin produced a good clinical response.