[Immunological aspects of circulating immune complexes in kidney diseases in patients with chronic alcoholism].

AIM

Characterization of the content and features of circulating immune complexes (CIC) in chronic alcoholics with renal diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of CIC, RNA and DNA levels in CIC were studied in 58 patients suffering from chronic alcoholism stage II. The patients had the history of 10 and more years of alcohol abuse, exhibited symptoms of chronic renal affection with clinical picture of chronic glomerulonephritis.

RESULTS

Glomerulonephritis in chronic alcoholics was accompanied with higher CIC, CIC IgM and IgA levels compared to healthy subjects and non-alcoholics with glomerulonephritis. Alcoholics had also higher DNA and CIC DNA.

CONCLUSION

Quantitative and qualitative assessment of CIC in chronic alcoholics with renal disease provide information valuable for the disease diagnosis and prognosis.