Immunoglobulin profiles and blood variables in 50 patients with hairy cell leukemia. Effects of splenectomy

The immunoglobulin profile in patients (50) with hairy cell leukemia (HCL) was assessed on the basis of quantitative estimation of IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD and IgE serum levels. In HCL patients IgG, IgA and IgE mean levels were found higher than in healthy persons. No significant difference was found in serum IgM and IgD levels as compared to the reference group. Considering three major immunoglobulins, in no class and no patient with HCL immunoglobulin deficiency has been recorded. The serum immunoglobulin profile might be useful in differentiating HCL from chronic lymphocytic leukemia or lymphocytic lymphomas. However, no difference in immunoglobulin profiles in all five classes under study could be found between splenectomized and nonsplenectomized patients. Four percent PEG precipitation technique was used for the detection and characterization of IgG immune complexes in sera. The percentage of IgG precipitated in 4% PEG from serum was significantly higher in patients with HCL than in healthy persons; similarly as in immunoglobulin study no significant differences between splenectomized and nonsplenectomized patients were recorded. The beneficial effect of splenectomy was documented by the improvement in hemoglobin concentration, platelet and neutrophil counts and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.