[Serum immunoglobulins and third complement component in and after acute non-A/non-B hepatitis (author's transl)]

The serum levels of IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD and IgE and of the third complement component (C 3) were determined by the single radial immunodiffusion method in 69 serum samples of 34 female patients during (2nd and 4th week) acute non-A/non-B hepatitis and 2 years after infection. The levels were compared with those of circulating immune complexes measured by polyethylene glycol precipitation method. The levels of immunoglobulins and C 3 were similar to those of healthy persons. During the course of disease there were no significant relations with exception of an increase of IgD levels in patients with chronic course. The positive correlation of the levels of IgM and immune complexes at the first and second serum sample (r = 0,5914, r = 0,6366 respectively, p less than 0,001) could not be verified in patients with noncomplicated course (r = 0,203 8, n. s.) but it was highly significant in patients with chronic course (r = 0,9429, p less than 0,001). Determinations of immunoglobulins and immune complexes may therefore be prognostically helpful in patients with non-A/non-B hepatitis.