[Relation between circulating immune complexes and serum ferritin in hemosiderosis of different etiologies]

Parameters of iron metabolism and humoral immunity were studied in patients with chronic diffuse diseases of the liver (cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis), beta-thalassemia major, dyserythropoiesis, hereditary hemochromatosis. High ferritin content has been recorded in the plasma of these patients, that leads to the formation of antibodies to this protein followed by the production of circulating immune complexes inducing metabolic disorders that aggravate the pathologic process. Plasmapheresis and deferoxamine therapy result in a decrease of ferritin and circulating immune complex content in the plasma, that produces a favourable effect on the patients' condition.