Alterations of immunologic parameters in pregnancies complicated by EPH-gestosis

To characterize the cellular and humoral immune situation in pregnancies with EPH-gestosis (n = 44), percentages of peripheral T-lymphocytes, ratio of helper and suppressor T-lymphocytes further circulating immuncomplexes (CIC), beta 2-Microglobulin (beta 2-MG) and lysozyme (Lz) were determined. 50 pregnant women without EPH-gestosis were examined as controls. The mean counts of total lymphocytes decreased with increasing gestosis index in contrast to T-lymphocyte percentages. The mean T-helper/T-suppressorcell ratio indicated a severe imbalance in a few cases with severe gestosis. CIC were present in all serum samples of patients with moderate and severe gestosis. Lz was found to be elevated in EPH-gestosis in correlation to severity of disease. beta 2-MG levels in serum were only increased in women with reduced renal function. This parameter was not strictly correlated to the severity of EPH-gestosis but only to the degree of kidney dysfunctioning. EPH-gestosis represents a heterogeneous group with uniform symptomatology. Only in severe gestosis an imbalance of T-lymphocyte subpopulations as well as CIC and elevated Lz levels were detected. In mild gestosis no alterations of the used parameters were found.