Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal

Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
Hydatid disease is a widely distributed disease caused by the larval stage of the Cestode Echinococcus. Inflammation increases the synthesis of immunoglobulins and complement components (C3 and C4) presumably through the action of interleukin 1& gamma interferon.
OBJECTIVE:
Assessment of immunopathotogical response of scrum immnnoglobulins and complement components fC3 and C4)in Iraqi patients that might be a fleeted as inflammatory response to hydatid disease.
SUBJECT AND METHOD:
A total number of 50 patients with radiological diagnosis of HD wore studied. Surgical interference had been done to 20 out of 50 patients and the results of surgery gave a clinical confirmation of the diagnosis of HD. Sera from patients with HD and 38 apparently healthy controls were obtained for measurement of immunoglobulins (lgG. IgM and IgA) and complement components (C3 and C4) by Radial Immunodiffuision Assay ( Biomaghreb).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:
Hydatid patients showed increases of IgG (P value < 0.001) IgM and IgA levels (p value <0.05) in comparison to the control group, but these variables start to decrease after surgical treatment that is significant only in case of IgM (P value <0.05). and this might be due to activation of humoral immunity against HD. Complement components were found to be insignificantly lower in patients with HD in comparison to control group (P value > 0.05) and higher in one week postoperative period in comparsion preoperative period (P value > 0.05). This might mean consumption of complement and it's activation or it might be due to anticomplementary action of the hydatid cyst.
CONCLUSION:
The picture that has emerged from this study is that HC wall might have anticomplementary action. And serum complement component tend to increase in postoperative period.