Immunologic studies in patients with glomerulonephritis.

Blood levels of E-rosette forming cells, HbsAg, C3 and immunoglobulins G, A and M were determined in a series of 101 patients with different forms of glomerulonephritis. Cell-mediated immunity to glomerular basement membrane (GBM) antigens and renal tubular epithelial (RTE) antigen was studied in 39 patients with glomerulonephritis and in 53 patients with Balkan nephropathy (BEN). The patients with glomerulonephritis had statistically higher serum levels of IgG, IgA and IgM than normal individuals. Decreased serum C3 values were recorded in 40.6 per cent of the patients and circulating immune complexes (CIC) were detected in 47.5 per cent; 6.9 per cent of the patients were HBsAg positive. The patients' levels of E-rosette forming cells were significantly lower than those of healthy controls. Cell-mediated immunity to GBM was recorded in 53.8 per cent of the patients with chronic glomerulonephritis and to RTE-antigen in 58.5 per cent of the patients with BEN. These changes are interpreted as being a manifestation of an abnormal immune response, characterized by disorders of T lymphocyte function and activation of B lymphocytes. Evidence for this includes the presence of CICs, the low C3 levels the high number of positive tests for HBsAg.