Immune dysfunction in millitary personnel participating in special tasks and the possibility of medical and psychological rehabilitation

The article considers immune dysfunction in military personnel participating in special operations and the possibilities of their medical and psychological rehabilitation. The state of the immune status of 73 servicemen (average age 37.6 ± 4.1 years) who participated in special operations in areas with a difficult operational situation and underwent a 20-day standard course of medical and psychological rehabilitation in the sanatoriums of the sanatorium complexes “North Caucasian”, “Sochi”, and “Crimean” was monitored. Immune status was assessed before and after participation in special operations and after a course of medical and psychological rehabilitation. Immune dysfunction due to quantitative and functional changes in the immune status was established. Soldiers participating in special operations registered a decrease in the synthesis and differentiation of T-lymphocytes, inhibition of the functionality of cytotoxic lymphocytes, reduced cytolytic potential of natural killer cells, impaired antigen-presenting function of monocytes, and a significant decrease in the number of B lymphocytes with preserved antibody-producing function. The rehabilitation course for military personnel participating in special operations led to the normalization of the analyzed parameters, except for the functional activity of natural killer cells and monocytes. Given the lack of full recovery of homeostatic reserves in the immune system, a more in-depth study of the problem and development of a personalized approach to rehabilitation of the military participants with the assessment of immunological markers are necessary.