"N-Factor/Anergic Margin" or Resistance/Susceptibility to hanseniasis. 111. The general acceptance of the theory under other names, a few pending questions and the related researches ahead

In this third and final article of a series, the general acceptance of the "N-Factor/Anergic Margin" theory, under other names, is reported. "Constitutional capacity to react", "genetical aptitude" and "potential immunity" stand among the numerous synonyms fo...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Abrahão ROTBERG
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Instituto Lauro de Souza Lima 1978-11-01
Series:Hansenologia Internationalis
Subjects:
Online Access:https://periodicos.saude.sp.gov.br/hansenologia/article/view/36078
_version_ 1797389919154339840
author Abrahão ROTBERG
author_facet Abrahão ROTBERG
author_sort Abrahão ROTBERG
collection DOAJ
description In this third and final article of a series, the general acceptance of the "N-Factor/Anergic Margin" theory, under other names, is reported. "Constitutional capacity to react", "genetical aptitude" and "potential immunity" stand among the numerous synonyms for the old (1937) "natural" N-Factor; "lepromatous macrophage defect", "specific defect of cell-mediated immunity" are pathogenetical explanations for the "Anergic Margin" (AM). However, "depression" and "impairment" of immunity are not included among the synonyms for the AM, as, according to the theory, energy precedes and conditions VirchowIan hanseniasis, is not caused by it. Secondary unspecific depression of cell-mediated immunity possibly exists in moderately advanced cases of Virchowian hanuPniagig, but has no relationship with the primary genetical incapacity to react to Mycobacterium hansenii, which characterizes the AM of the general population. Studies with homozygotic twins and HL-A antigens support the theory of a genetical conditioning of types of hanseniasis. Many works on the immunogenetics of the disease were inconclusive, partly due to the fact that Mitsuda-negative persons were wrongly considered as a homogeneous group, not as a heterogeneous group ranging from total energy (the AM) to the highest grades of Mitsuda responsiveness (only needing the stimulation by mycobacteria, especially Hansen's and Koch's). "N-Factor" bearers (reactors) and AM members (non-reactors) exist in the whole world, endemic and non-endemic, and constitute an ample field for research. Further investigations to clarify some of the pending questions are suggested.
first_indexed 2024-03-08T23:03:03Z
format Article
id doaj.art-034dbfa9113247d2adee915b3e6f19b0
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1982-5161
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-08T23:03:03Z
publishDate 1978-11-01
publisher Instituto Lauro de Souza Lima
record_format Article
series Hansenologia Internationalis
spelling doaj.art-034dbfa9113247d2adee915b3e6f19b02023-12-15T14:32:09ZengInstituto Lauro de Souza LimaHansenologia Internationalis1982-51611978-11-013210.47878/hi.1978.v3.36078"N-Factor/Anergic Margin" or Resistance/Susceptibility to hanseniasis. 111. The general acceptance of the theory under other names, a few pending questions and the related researches aheadAbrahão ROTBERG0Professor of Dermatology. University of S. Paulo, Brazil. Chairman of the Committee on Hansenology, S. Paulo State Public Health Service, Brazil. In this third and final article of a series, the general acceptance of the "N-Factor/Anergic Margin" theory, under other names, is reported. "Constitutional capacity to react", "genetical aptitude" and "potential immunity" stand among the numerous synonyms for the old (1937) "natural" N-Factor; "lepromatous macrophage defect", "specific defect of cell-mediated immunity" are pathogenetical explanations for the "Anergic Margin" (AM). However, "depression" and "impairment" of immunity are not included among the synonyms for the AM, as, according to the theory, energy precedes and conditions VirchowIan hanseniasis, is not caused by it. Secondary unspecific depression of cell-mediated immunity possibly exists in moderately advanced cases of Virchowian hanuPniagig, but has no relationship with the primary genetical incapacity to react to Mycobacterium hansenii, which characterizes the AM of the general population. Studies with homozygotic twins and HL-A antigens support the theory of a genetical conditioning of types of hanseniasis. Many works on the immunogenetics of the disease were inconclusive, partly due to the fact that Mitsuda-negative persons were wrongly considered as a homogeneous group, not as a heterogeneous group ranging from total energy (the AM) to the highest grades of Mitsuda responsiveness (only needing the stimulation by mycobacteria, especially Hansen's and Koch's). "N-Factor" bearers (reactors) and AM members (non-reactors) exist in the whole world, endemic and non-endemic, and constitute an ample field for research. Further investigations to clarify some of the pending questions are suggested. https://periodicos.saude.sp.gov.br/hansenologia/article/view/36078HanseniasisGeneticsImmunologyMitsuda testN-FactorAnergic Margin
spellingShingle Abrahão ROTBERG
"N-Factor/Anergic Margin" or Resistance/Susceptibility to hanseniasis. 111. The general acceptance of the theory under other names, a few pending questions and the related researches ahead
Hansenologia Internationalis
Hanseniasis
Genetics
Immunology
Mitsuda test
N-Factor
Anergic Margin
title "N-Factor/Anergic Margin" or Resistance/Susceptibility to hanseniasis. 111. The general acceptance of the theory under other names, a few pending questions and the related researches ahead
title_full "N-Factor/Anergic Margin" or Resistance/Susceptibility to hanseniasis. 111. The general acceptance of the theory under other names, a few pending questions and the related researches ahead
title_fullStr "N-Factor/Anergic Margin" or Resistance/Susceptibility to hanseniasis. 111. The general acceptance of the theory under other names, a few pending questions and the related researches ahead
title_full_unstemmed "N-Factor/Anergic Margin" or Resistance/Susceptibility to hanseniasis. 111. The general acceptance of the theory under other names, a few pending questions and the related researches ahead
title_short "N-Factor/Anergic Margin" or Resistance/Susceptibility to hanseniasis. 111. The general acceptance of the theory under other names, a few pending questions and the related researches ahead
title_sort n factor anergic margin or resistance susceptibility to hanseniasis 111 the general acceptance of the theory under other names a few pending questions and the related researches ahead
topic Hanseniasis
Genetics
Immunology
Mitsuda test
N-Factor
Anergic Margin
url https://periodicos.saude.sp.gov.br/hansenologia/article/view/36078
work_keys_str_mv AT abrahaorotberg nfactoranergicmarginorresistancesusceptibilitytohanseniasis111thegeneralacceptanceofthetheoryunderothernamesafewpendingquestionsandtherelatedresearchesahead