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. 1972 Sep;12(1):89–101.

Synergistic immunosuppressive action of antithymocyte antisera and thymectomy in the human

B Pirofsky, R R Reid, J C Ramirez-Mateos, E J Bardana, Anne August
PMCID: PMC1553645  PMID: 4117276

Abstract

The immunologic effects of antithymocyte antisera therapy were evaluated in ten patients with myasthenia gravis. Equal numbers (5) of prior thymectomized and non-thymectomized subjects were studied. Seven patients did not have additional immunosuppressive therapy; three received minimal doses of corticosteroids or azathioprine. Increases in the production of γG and the C-3 component of complement, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rates, complement binding to the erythrocyte surface and variable degrees of depression of primary humoral and cellular immune reactions were seen. Pre-existing thymectomy potentiated the action of antithymocyte antiserum inhibition of DNCB sensitization and skin graft rejection and intensified the degree of induced lymphopenia.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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