[Correlations between splenectomy and allergic symptoms. Preliminary results of a study concerning IL-4 and IgE serum level].
The Authors, studying the condition of immunodepression observed in patients who underwent splenectomy for traumatic lesion, noticed that a significant part of them complained of allergic symptoms. These seemed to appear only in subjects whose Th2 lymphocytes functionality was preserved--as witnessed by normal or increased IL-4 serum level--showing an increased level of IgE too, thus confirming the role of Th2 lymphocytes in stimulating IgE synthesis. On the contrary splenectomized patients with functional harm of the Th2 lymphocytes--proved by low IL-4 serum level--did not show increase of haematic IgE level nor allergic manifestations. The Authors stress that, despite the small numerical of the series not allowing definitive judgment, preliminary data are suggestive for an hypothesis--reported below--that needs further confirmation. The ablation of the spleen, organ devoted to remove from the blood antigens--many of these potentially allergic factors--, allows the prolonged persistence of such sensitizing agents, thus promoting the onset of allergic manifestations in splenectomized patients whose Th2 lymphocytes function is preserved.
Miniello
Stefano
S
Sezione di Chirurgia d'Urgenza e del Trauma, Dipartimento per le Applicazioni in Chirurgia delle Tecnologie Innovative, Università degli Studi di Bari, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Bari. stefanominiello@yahoo.it
Jirillo
Emilio
E
Cristallo
Graziana
G
Marzaioli
Rinaldo
R
Lorusso
Curzio
C
Lippolis
Agostino
A
Giove
Eleonora
E
Nacchiero
Michele
M
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000097:blood*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood*; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000097:blood*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013156:Splenectomy
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D015415:Biomarkers; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E