Immune functions in methylmalonicaciduria.

Abstract

A variety of phagocytic cell and lymphocyte assays were employed to evaluate the immune status of four patients with methylmalonicaciduria . One patient had a depressed absolute granulocyte count and two patients had depressed neutrophil and monocyte chemotactic responses. All subjects had normal neutrophil phagocytic and bactericidal activities. One patient had a decreased T-cell number; blastogenic responses to phytohaemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogen were normal in all subjects. B lymphocyte measurements were variably abnormal; two children had decreased B-cell numbers; two had marginally decreased IgG levels; a third had an undetectable rubella titre; and two had elevated serum IgE concentrations. In vitro exposure of normal cells to methylmalonic acid concentrations up to 50 mg/100 ml did not affect chemotactic or lymphoproliferative responses. In conclusion, although B-cell function may be affected, no consistent abnormality of lymphocyte or phagocytic cell functions could be attributed to the metabolic disorder.