Circulating immune complexes in Indian childhood cirrhosis.

Considerable immunological dysfunction has been reported in Indian childhood cirrhosis (Chandra, 1970; Chawla et al., 1973). These observations suggest that the progressive tissue damage observed in this disease may have an immunological basis. To further test this hypothesis, sera from 18 patients with Indian childhood cirrhosis (ICC) and nine age-matched siblings were examined for the presence of soluble immune complexes and activation of complement. The presence of circulating immune complexes (CIC) in ICC is reported for the first time. Immune complexes were measured by the liquid phase 125I-Clq binding (Clq BA) and 125I-conglutinin binding (KBA) assays, and observed in 13/18 (72%) and 10/18 (56%) patients respectively. A significant correlation was found between the two tests. In contrast, only two out of nine siblings had elevated levels of immune complexes, and these were positive in both tests. Evidence was also obtained for in vivo activation of complement via the classical pathway. Total haemolytic complement (CH50) values were depressed in 13/18 (72%) patients, while C4 and C3 values were low in 5/16 (31%) and 4/18 (22%) patients respectively. C3 degradation products were found in substantial amounts in six patients. Complement levels in siblings were uniformly normal. These observations suggest that the immune complexes demonstrated may be of phlogistic significance and merit further characterization.