ABSTRACT
A well-balanced and optimal nutrition is a key to normal health. A number of these pathological effects of malnutrition appear to be mediated by the effect of the lack of or excess of various components of our daily diet on immune response. Changes in lymphocyte responses associated with protein, caloric, protein-caloric, vitamins, and trace element deficiencies in malnutrition will be considered. The use of monoclonal antibodies and the fluorescence-activated cell sorter have been instrumental in defining the functions of various subsets of lymphocytes. Thymus is the central organ in the differentiation and maturation of T lymphocytes and the subsets. Studies are needed to examine B lymphocytes with a panel of monoclonal antibodies that define surface antigens present on various stages of B-cell differentiation. Folic acid deficiency is associated with both cell-mediated and antibody-mediated immunity. Vitamin A deficiency is one of the most common vitamin deficiency in Third World countries.
