Immunological aspects of ulserative colitis were studied, especially about humoral immune phenonena. Fifteen sera were obtained from patients with ulcerative colitis verified clinically, rentgenologically and endoscopically.
The results of this immunological survey were summalized as follows:
1. Decreased in serum IgG and IgA levels. Serum IgM levels within normal limits.
2. Normal serum C3 levels, as opposed to remarkably increased in serum C4 levels.
3. Decreased in Isohemagglutinin titers.
4. Higher incidence of different antibodies in sera of patients with ulcerative colitis, compared with sera from healthy controls.
Rheumatoid factor. 13% (control: 3.3%)
Anti-IgG antibodies: 13% (control: 0.4%)
Anti-IgA antibodies: 60% (control: 1.3%)
Anti-colonic antibodies: 33% (control: 1.3%)
Antibodies to cow's milk proteins: 33% (control: 1.3%)
5. No significant difference of salivary IgA levels between patients with ulcerative colitis and healthy control.
These abnormalities in humoral immune system were found in patients with ulcerative colitis, but there are no data that firmly link anticolonic antibodies, anti-cow's milk antibodies or immune complexes to the etiopathogenesis of ulcerative colitis.
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