Immunological features of preeclampsia: increased frequency of antilymphocyte antibodies, but not of immune complexes.

Using two methods for detecting circulating immune complexes (CIC)--inhibition of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and solid-phase C1q assay--we were unable to demonstrate CIC in sera from preeclamptic patients and from healthy pregnant women. Antilymphocyte antibodies were found much more frequently in multiparous women suffering from preeclampsia-like disease than in healthy multiparous pregnant control patients. They were not detected in primigravida uncomplicated or preeclamptic pregnancies. It is suggested, therefore, that preeclampsia may have a different etiology in the multiparous woman than in the primigravida.