title: Influence of splenectomy on immunoglobulins and complement components in major thalassemia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Thalassemia is the most common anemia with hereditary base in Iran. The aim of this study was to evaluate the humoral immune system and assess the effect of splenectomy on the serum level of immunoglobulins IgG, IgM, and IgG and complement components in patients with major thalassemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  This quasi-experimental study (before-after) was performed on 40 patients with major thalassemia that referred to the treatment centers of Babol for splenectomy from March 2011 to March 2013.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of patients under study was 25.38±6.89 years. The results of this study showed that the rate of IgA and IgM had a significant decrease after splenectomy. However, the increase of serum level in IgG in this study was not significant. The serum levels of C3 and CH50 were evaluated in all patients that its reduction was statistically significant, but the decrease of serum levels in C4 was not significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The spleen plays a role in releasing immunoglobulins and starter proteins of complement activation pathways and splenectomy causes reduction in the serum levels of immunoglobulins and complement components.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali Asghar
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Darzi
authors.affiliation: Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Clinical Research Development Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: Sakineh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kamali
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khakzad
keywords: Complement; Immunoglobulin; Major thalassemia; Splenectomy