title: Serological and immunological investigations in patients with gross splenomegaly from the Gabon.
abstract: Serological investigations (immunoglobulin, haptoglobin, cryoglobulin, and antibody determination against Plasmodium falciparum and P. malariae antigens) were performed in 64 adults of the Albert-Schweitzer-Hospital, Lambarene, Gabon. The patients were referred consecutively for ultrasound examination of the upper abdominal tract. 31 patients had clinically and sonographically an enlarged spleen, whereas 34 had a normal-sized spleen. 18 patients were regarded as having a gross splenomegaly without an obvious underlying cause (tropical splenomegaly (TSS]. No significant differences were seen between the patient groups with regard to immunoglobulin M or antiplasmodial antibody concentration. Thus, a causal association of splenomegaly with chronic malaria infections could not be established. The haptoglobin levels were significantly (P less than 0.01) reduced in patients with splenomegaly. Peripheral T-lymphocyte subsets as defined by monoclonal antibodies showed in all 4 cases with gross splenomegaly examined distinct abnormalities. Tropical splenomegaly is thought to encompass a variety of diseases, most of them presenting an intermediate stage of reactive to autonome disorders of the lymphatic system.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000743:Anemia, Hemolytic / Q000150:complications; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006242:Haptoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006529:Hepatomegaly / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000276:immunology; D013163:Splenomegaly / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D006242:Haptoglobins; D007075:Immunoglobulin M