title: Immunoglobulin classes, complement factors and circulating immune complexes in chronic sinusitis patients.
abstract: Serum concentrations of immunoglobulin classes (IgG, IgA and IgM), complement factor B (FB), 4th complement factor (C4) and circulating immune complexes (CIC) were determined in 34 Nigerians with chronic sinusitis and 37 apparently healthy age and sex matched controls by single radial immunodiffusion and polyethylene glycol precipitation methods, respectively. The mean serum IgG, IgA, C4, FB and CIC were significantly reduced in chronic sinusitis patients compared with the controls. The mean serum levels of IgG, IgM, C4 and FB were higher in male chronic sinusitis patients compared with female patients. In contrast the mean serum level of IgA was significantly reduced in chronic sinusitis patients. Only IgG and IgA showed significant correlation with the duration of chronic sinusitis. These findings in Nigerian patients suggest immuno-deficiency as one of the causes of chronic sinusitis in Nigerians, therefore routine serum immunoglobulin evaluation is recommended and if found deficient immunoglobulin replacement therapy is advocated for the treatment of such chronic sinusitis.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003181:Complement C4 / Q000032:analysis*; D011415:Complement Factor B / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D003181:Complement C4; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D011415:Complement Factor B