Endomyocardial biopsies after heart transplantation. The presence of immunoglobulin/immune complex deposits.
A series of 221 endomyocardial biopsies (EMB), taken from 21 patients after heart transplantation, was analyzed for the presence of immunoglobulin/immune complex deposits. Data were correlated with histology (grading following Billingham) and cytoimmunologic monitoring (CIM) on blood samples (grading into negative, rejection, or infection, based on leukocyte morphology and T cell phenotype). IgM deposits and IgG/IgM complexes in blood capillaries around myocyte fibrils were found in 78 and 40 EMB, respectively. This feature was more prevalent in EMB with a histology of rejection (39 out of 52 biopsies).
Schuurman
H J
HJ
Heart Transplant Team Utrecht, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Meyling
F H
FH
Wijngaard
P L
PL
van der Meulen
A
A
Slootweg
P J
PJ
Jambroes
G
G
D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000032:analysis*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006084:Graft Rejection; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D009206:Myocardium / Q000276:immunology*
D000906:Antibodies; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex