ANTIBODIES IN HEMODIALYSIS-PATIENTS AGAINST HAPTEN-PROTEIN AND HAPTEN-ERYTHROCYTES

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 96  (2) , 347-355
Abstract
Serum samples obtained from hemodialysis patients with immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions and hemodialysis patients with no reactions were analyzed for antibody activity against hapten-protein complexes prepared from PA [phthalic anhydride] and MDI [diphenylmethane diisocyanate]. These chemicals, used in preparation of plastics, have been shown to be associated with immunologically mediated disease in other studies. IgE and IgG antibodies against P-HSA [human serum albumin] and MDI-HSA were detected in several sera; symptomatic patients could not be differentiated from asymptomatic patients by antibody levels. Antibodies capable of agglutinating or hemolyzing P-E [phthalyl-erythrocytes] were detected in some sera from hemodialysis patients. Although no clinical disease has yet been correlated with these antibodies, sufficient exposure of hemodialysis patients to protein-reactive chemicals apparently occurs to elicit an immunologic response against hapten-protein or hapten-cells. Such antibodies may have immunopathogenetic significance in subjects systematically exposed to fluids which have been in contact with plastics.