Cryoglobulinemia and circulating immune complexes in progressive systemic sclerosis
Malaviya, A.N.; Rajagopalan, P.; Gupta, S.; Taneja, R.L.
Indian Journal of Medical Research 72: 359-364
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5340 PMID: 6970181 Document Number: 167671
Patients (31) with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) were screened for cryoglobulins. Cryoglobulins were detected in 11 patients, 5 of whom also showed the presence of immune complexes by latex agglutination inhibition technique. Two other patients who did not show cryoglobulins revealed circulating immune complexes. Anti-nuclear antibody was found in 19, 9 of whom had anti-nucleolar pattern. Sixteen patients showed rheumatoid factor, in high titer (1:160 or more) in 2 patients and in low titers of 1:20 or 1:40 in the rest. Serum C3 [complement component 3] levels were normal. All the cryoproteins showed the presence of IgM, IgG and C3. Detailed analysis was possible in 3 cryoproteins only. They showed the presence of kappa and lambda L chains in IgG and IgM. The clinical findings did not correlate with the serum findings.