[Detection of circulating immune complexes using polyethylene glycol. Its value in the therapy of phlebology...

After a short exposition of the meaning and the technique for determination of immune complexes in circulating blood (after Hashkova, with polyethylene glycol) our first experience with phlebological patients is exposed. Positive reactions in a variety of cases (N = 122) includes atypical ulcus cruris, ulcerated vasculitis, Pyoderma gangrenosum, discoid lupus erythematodes, chronic rheumatoid polyarthritis (with, or without ulcus cruris), monoarthritis of the knee, pernicious anemia, chronic lymphedema (elephantiasis), some cases of sclerosis multiplex. In such positive cases the sedimentation rate of citrate blood may, or may not be elevated. Negative or uncertain reactions (below 10) were seen in 141 cases, in common's ulcus cruris cases, in vasculite nodulaire, in discopathy and most spondylarthroses and other arthrosis cases, in vasculite nodulaire, in discopathy and most spondylarthroses and other arthrosis cases, in various patients with rheumatoid complaints in coxarthrosis, osteoporosis and in a group of healthy young persons. Negative reactions were the rule in atherosclerotic and diabetic old persons with claudication or gangrene, in most dermatological cases, in necrobiosis lipoidica, in psoriasis, in postthrombotic phlebitis and in chronic rheumatism in a quiet stage. In vasculitis cases the reaction is often only slightly positive (between 10 and 20) but should be repeated as the values may vary. The determination of circulating immune complexes with polyethylenglycol is a useful screening method in the policlinic. Treatment is often directed in the right way sometimes prednisone, more often nivaquin (chloroquin) or other anti-inflammatory drugs and in pernicious anemia hepatotherapy can be of great help in the healing of complicated phlebological cases.