Immunoglobulin profiles and antibacterial antibody levels in 50 patients a long time after posttraumatic splenectomy

Abstract

Serum immunoglobulin and antibacterial antibody concentrations have been determined in 50 patients 2 to 20 years after posttraumatic splenectomy. The serum levels of IgG, IgA and IgM were found to be significantly greater in the group of posttraumatic splenectomy patients than in that of the healthy controls. The serum IgE concentrations did not differ statistically from that of the controls. The serum level of natural antibodies against intestinal bacteria were found to be elevated (Shigella 1b, 2a, 3 and Salmonella typhi 02 strains) or normal (Salmonella typhi 0901 as well as E Coli 026 and 055 strains). Our results show that the studied functional aspects of humoral immunity in this group of otherwise healthy splenectomized individuals were not impaired.