IMMUNOGLOBULIN LEVELS IN PNEUMONIA.

Serum immunoglobulin levels were measured by radial immunodiffusion in thirty patients with pneumonia and in thirty healthy controls. In pneumonia the mean IgG level increased during the course of the illness. During convalescence the mean IgM and lgG levels were higher in patients than in controls. The results of immunoglobulin estimations were correlated with the results of aetiological investigations. Patients with M. pneumoniae infections showed a significant rise in IgM concentration which may be specific for respiratory infections associated with this organism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]