Humoral and Complement Systems in Children With Acute Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Background: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder associated with decreased platelet production and accelerated platelet destruction. An impaired immune system may induce by or be associated with ITP.  Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate complement and humoral immune systems in ITP.  Methods: We evaluated ۳۰ children (under ۱۹ years old) with acute and chronic ITP referred to a tertiary hospital and compared them with ۳۰ healthy volunteers. We assessed the samples’ CBC with differentiation, serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgE, IgM, IgA, IgG۱, IgG۲, IgG۳, IgG۴) by nephelometry, antistreptolysin O titer by agglutination, CH۵۰, C۳, C۴ by nephelometry, CD۱۹ by flow cytometry, and anti-tetanus antibody titer by ELISA. Their demographic data were obtained with a questionnaire. Results: Our findings showed that humoral and complement components were normal in both patients and healthy groups. However, based on independent t test results, the mean serum levels of IgM, IgE, IgG۱, C۳, and tetanus antibody levels were significantly higher in the patient group. Conclusions: Humoral and complementary immunodeficiency in these patients is unlikely. However, more studies with larger sample sizes are needed.

Keywords:

Immune thrombocytopenia , Humeral immunity , Complements system , Children