Platelet-associated IgG, IgM, and C3 in paediatric infectious disease

Elevated amounts of platelet-associated serum proteins (PASP) can be detected in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and are considered to be of patho-aetiological importance especially in the case of acute ITP, that commonly follows acute febrile illnesses. Using a micro-enzyme-linked immunoassay we examined PASP (IgG, IgM, and C3) in 120 paediatric patients with acute fever caused by viral (n = 45), bacterial (n = 48), or non-detectable agents (n = 27) and compared those values to the levels of PASP of an own paediatric control group (n = 21). Two of the patients presented mild temporary thrombocytopenia without clinical signs in the course of their infectious disease. While having normal platelet counts, the majority of our patients (69.2%) however, showed increased levels of PASP (IgG, IgM, C3; single or combined). Significant differences of PASP levels by discrimination of viral and bacterial diseases could not be demonstrated. Elevated platelet-associated complement was of special interest, because - in the absence of low platelet counts due to platelet-specific antibodies - it must be regarded as an indicator for immune complexes (IC) binding to thrombocyte surface IgG Fc-receptors. Thus we suggest that platelets play a considerable role in the elimination of circulating IC.