The occurrence of circulating immune complexes and viral antigens in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
The sera of seventy-two patients with ITP were tested for their inhibitory activity on the agglutination of IgG-coated particles by RF or C1q. The majority (83%) displayed an inhibitory effect toward both agglutinators, whereas 17% were found to contain endogenous RF. A negative correlation was observed between the number of platelets and the titres of inhibitory factors. Some sera were fractionated by gel filtration. The inhibitory factors and sometimes trace amounts of IgG were distributed over several peaks eluted before monomeric 7S IgG. The IgG detected in the heavy fractions of two ITP sera corresponded to antigen-antibody complexes as shown by dissociation experiments at acid pH. In all ITP sera analysed by chromatography, DNA has been detected in the heavy fractions and appears to be the antigen of certain complexes. The sera from forty-two patients with ITP were analysed by counter-electrophoresis for the presence of viral antigens. HBs antigen was detected in twenty sera, EBV antigen in five, and adenovirus antigen in six.
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D003172:Complement C1; D006801:Humans; D007841:Latex Fixation Tests; D011696:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic / Q000276:immunology*; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D003172:Complement C1; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor