Antibody formation in cryptogenetic splenomegaly II. The response to antigen injected subcutaneously

Abstract

The haemolysin titres following the intravenous injection of washed sheep-erythrocytes were determined in 26 patients with cryptogenetic splenomegaly, in 10 splenectomized patients and in 11 normal controls. The patients with splenomegaly were divided into a group with, and another without, cirrhosis of the liver. The mean maximal haemolytic titre in the group with splenomegaly without cirrhosis was not significantly different from that of the normal controls, and this was found to hold whether the spleen was grossly or moderately enlarged. In contrast, the mean maximal haemolytic titre in the group with cirrhosis of the liver was significantly lower than that of normal controls, and was not significantly different from that of the splenectomized group. It is concluded that, in contrast to previous report, such spleens are not useless organs immunologically but are capable of responding normally to particulate antigen injected intravenously, provided the liver is not cirrhotic. The failure of patients with cirrhosis of the liver to respond with titres significantly greater than splenectomized subjects is discussed, and it is suggested that the failure may result from the disordered metabolism of gamma globulin encountered in cirrhosis.