SERUM IMMUNOGLOBULIN LEVELS FOLLOWING HUMAN RENAL ALLOTRANSPLANTATION

Abstract

Serum immunoglobulin levels (IgA, IgG and IgM) were followed in thirteen patients with chronic renal disease, before and after renal allotransplantation. Seven patients had bilateral nephrectomy only; the other six in addition had splenectomy and thymectomy. All received Imuran and Prednisone during the post-transplantation period. Following transplantation the serum IgM level rose more markedly in patients with intact spleen and thymus than in those who had splenectomy and thymectomy. The IgA and IgG levels did not change significantly in both groups. In four patients who showed clinical or histologic evidence of a rejection reaction, the IgM level dropped during the rejection phase and rose again with clinical improvement. The significance of these IgM variations is not clear at the present time. The possible implications of these findings in relation to the role of humoral antibodies in allotransplantation and the graft rejection reaction are discussed.