[Antibodies against D-penicillamine in primary biliary cirrhosis]

25 serum samples of 22 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (15 under or after treatment with D-penicillamine) were tested for antibodies against D-penicillamine. Complement-binding IgG-antibodies demonstrated by a 4 layer immunofluorescence test were found only in 3 patients with suggested D-penicillamine allergy. These findings suggest a causal relation between penicillamine antibodies and penicillamine-induced side effects.