[Serum immunoglobulin concentrations and autoantibodies in patients with Yusho]

To evaluate chronic immune effects of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), serum immunoglobulin concentrations and autoantibodies were studied in 79 patients with Yusho in 1997. Serum levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) were elevated in 10 cases (12.7%), 19 cases (24.1%) and 7 cases (8.9%), respectively. Autoatibodies were present in some patients of Yusho; 10 cases (12.7%) for rheumatoid factor and 36 cases (45.6%) for antinuclear antibody. LE factor was not detected. There were no significant correlations between blood PCB concentrations and serum immunoglobulin concentrations, or presence of autoantibodies. We conclude that antinuclear antibody in patients with Yusho is frequent, although it may not be associated with blood PCB concentration.