The nonspecific clearance function of the reticuloendothelial system in patients with immune complex mediated diseases before and after therapeutic plasmapheresis.

The nonspecific clearance function of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) in six patients with immune complex mediated systemic vasculitis was determined by the evaluation of the disappearance rate of technetium 99m labelled microaggregated human serum albumin colloid (MHAC) injected IV before and after therapeutic plasma exchange. Three patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and one patient with immune complex vasculitis (ICV) exhibited a significant clinical improvement after plasmapheresis which was paralleled by an accelerated MHAC elimination rate following plasma exchange therapy. One patient with ICV and unresponsive to plasma exchange showed delayed MHAC elimination. In one patient with myasthenia gravis (MG), the elimination rate was not altered by plasmapheresis. The data obtained indicate that nonspecific clearance of the RES may be one effect of plasma exchange therapy in patients with immune complex mediated diseases.