Immune complex mediated lesions in experimental Kala azar: an ultrastructural study

Immune complexes play an important role in causation of renal lesions in various diseases. Circulating immune comlexes (CIC) are described in Kala azar. Role of CIC in pathogenesis of Kalaazar is discussed in present study. BALB/C mice were experimentally infected with L. donovani promastigotes. After visceralisation of infection, sera and kidneys of infected mice were preserved. Leishmanial antigen specific CIC could be demonstrated in 100% of infected mice by PEG ELISA, while they were absent in control mice. Ultrastructural pattern of renal lesions in infected mice showed presence of focal small electron dense deposits in glomerular basement membrane and subepithelial space, resembling immune complexes (humps). Rarely subendothelial and mesangial hypercellularity was present. These findings point towards a definite role of CIC in pathogenesis of renal lesions in Kalaazar.