[Importance of determination of circulating immune complexes in systemic lupus erythematosus].
UNLABELLED The concentration of circulating immune complexes (CIC) was investigated in the group of 9 patients with revealed systemic lupus crythematosus in active disease period and remission. In the same time it was estimated the blood level of complement C3 and C4, anti-dsDNA antibody and qualitative estimation of antinuclear antibody (ANF). It was estimated the significance of their changes in the remission and in activity period. CIC were performed with N-Latex (Clq) CIC nephelometry, C3 and C4 k.k. with nephelometry, and anti-dsDNA antibodies with ELISA test, specific for dsDNA antigen, IgG type, and ANF was performed with direct immunofluorescence microscopy. In the results, we found increase the concentration of CIC with all patients in active disease period, but in the remission period it was decreased (therapy effect). The blood level of ANF, C3, C4 were not significantly different between activity and remission period. The anti-dsDNA level was significantly elevated (90%) in the period of high SLE activity, while decrease was confirmed during remission. IN CONCLUSION the CIC level in patients with SLE is adequate parameter for disease activity estimation, together with measuring other immunological parameters (C3, C4, anti-dsDNA antibody), is useful in follow up of SLE activity.