Characterization of circulating immune complexes in chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis.
We studied the frequency and composition of circulating immune complexes (CIC) in patients with chronic persistent non-A, non-B (NANB) hepatitis and in convalescent persons after an apparently normal recovery from acute NANB hepatitis. 10 of 16 patients with chronic NANB hepatitis and 5 of 11 convalescent persons after acute NANB hepatitis had CIC as detected by the Raji cell technique. CIC in chronic NANB hepatitis were composed of IgG, C3, and in 7 of 10 cases also IgM, while in CIC from convalescent persons IgG and C3 were present, too, but IgM was detected in only 1 case. Viral antigens within the CIC were not detectable in any case while 14 of 16 chronic NANB hepatitis patients were found to have free virus-associated antigen in serum.
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000032:analysis*; D002848:Chromatography, DEAE-Cellulose; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000276:immunology*; D006518:Hepatitis Viruses / Q000276:immunology; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D008854:Microscopy, Electron
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D003176:Complement C3; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M