Serum Immunoglobulin and Complement Alterations in Interstitial Cystitis

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Abstract
Sera from 41 patients with interstitial cystitis were tested for immunoglobulins (IgA, G, M), complement components (C1q, C3, C4) and for C1-esterase inhibitor. There was a statistically highly significant depletion of the serum levels of complement component C4 (p < 0.001) and immunoglobulin G was markedly elevated (p < 0.001). Our results suggest the classical pathway activation of the complement system and support the possibility that a chronic local immunological process is involved in the pathogenesis of the disease.