Circulating Immune Complexes in Sickle Cell Hepatic Crises

Abstract

Circulating immune complexes in sera from sickle cell anemia (SCA) patients were investigated using inhibition of complement-dependent lymphocyte rosette formation (EAC rosette inhibition) and the anticomplementary assay. A significant inhibition of EAC rosette formation was seen in seven (77%) sera from SCA patients with hepatic crisis. Four (44%) sera from these patients showed slightly increased anticomplementary activity. These preliminary results provide evidence for the presence of circulating immune complexes in some SCA patients with hepatic crisis.