Gold nephropathy: serologic data suggesting an immune complex disease.

Servlogical tests preformed on a patient with gold-induced nephropathy revealed a multitude of immunological phenomena preceding the onset of proteinuria. These included formtaion of tissue antibodies, rheumatoid factors and circulating immune complexes. An antigen sharing immunological determinants with DOC-extractable tissue antigens was released into circulation before and during proteinuria. Precipitating antibodies against this circulating antigen were found in one serum sample obtained 6 weeks before the complication was diagnosed. In this serum specimen, antibodies were also found which combined with saline extracts, DOC extracts containing the ubiquitous tissue antigen (UTA), and preparations obtained from various human organs by extraction at 100 degrees C followed by precipitation at 71% ethanol concentration (BE preparations). Most of the activities disappeared before the onset of proteinuria. The possible significance of these phenomena in the pathogenesis of nephropathy is discussed.