IMMUNOLOGICAL STUDIES IN TYPHOID-FEVER .1. IMMUNOGLOBULINS-C3, ANTIBODIES, RHEUMATOID-FACTOR AND CIRCULATING IMMUNE-COMPLEXES IN PATIENTS WITH TYPHOID-FEVER

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 44  (1) , 68-73
Abstract
The development of O, H and Vi antibodies to Salmonella typhi antigens, Ig and C3 [complement component 3] levels, and the presence of rheumatoid factor and circulating immune complexes [CIC] were determined in the sera of patients with typhoid fever and appropriate age- and sex-matched controls. IgM, and both O and H antibodies were raised in typhoid patients. Rheumatoid factor, a possible indicator of persistent CIC, was also present in these patients. Immune complexes were more often present in patients with typhoid fever than in controls, their presence was much more marked in complicated cases of typhoid fever. A high ratio of .alpha.1-antitrypsin to C3 was found in these patients, suggesting complement consumption.