[Determination of immune complexes in renal diseases (author's transl)]

The concentration of circulating immune complexes were determined by Clq solid phase assay in 30 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (n = 15), glomerulonephritis (n = 5), and after kidney transplantation (n = 10). Elevated immune complex concentrations were found in glomerulonephritis and systemic lupus erythematosus correlating with disease activity. In the posttransplant period the level of immune complexes was increased after antilymphocyte globulin therapy. The function of the transplanted kidney or rejection crises showed no effect on immune complex formation. The presence of circulating immune complexes indicates a high activity of disease in cases of glomerulonephritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.