Humoral immunity in acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis

• Published in: Indian pediatrics Vol. 21; no. 9; pp. 677 - 681
• Main Authors: RAJAJEE, S, NARAYANAN, P. R, MOSES, S. G. P, SUNDARAVALLI, N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Delhi Indian Pediatrics 01.09.1984
• Subjects: Acute Disease; Antibody Formation; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child, Preschool; Glomerulonephritis - etiology; Glomerulonephritis - immunology; Humans; Medical sciences; Nephrology. Urinary tract diseases; Streptococcal Infections - immunology; Streptococcus; Tropical medicine; Urinary system involvement in other diseases. Miscellaneous; Human; Infection; Glomerulonephritis; Urinary system disease; Immunology; Asia; Streptococcal infection; Bacteriosis; Child; Humoral immunity; India
• ISSN: 0019-6061

Humoral immune response was assessed in 60 children with acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis in parallel with 15 children with only skin steptococcal infection and 20 normal children. B-lymphocytes as assessed by EAC rosettes estimation was significantly elevated in patients. Markedly high anti-D Nase B antibody titres were demonstrated in patients and to a less extent in skin infection controls, as compared to normal controls. C sub(3) levels were decreased in all the patients and C sub(4) levels were decreased in 76%. The levels returned to normal 2 months later. C sub(3) and C sub(4) levels were normal in skin infection and normal controls. Serum IgG, IgM, IgA were normal in patients and Rheumatoid factor was positive in only 24% of patients, all of whom had a low positive titre. These studies indicate marked humoral immune response to streptococcal infection in patients with APSGN. IgG anti-IgG immune complex did not play a significant role in our patients.