PATHOGENETIC VALUES OF IMMUNE COMPLEXES DURING INTRAUTERINE INFECTION

Аннотация

This study investigates the immunological status of 140 newborns presenting with various forms of neonatal pathology, with particular attention to serum levels of circulating immune complexes (CIC) and immunoglobulins of classes A, M, and G (IgA, IgM, IgG). The highest CIC concentrations were detected in neonates diagnosed with intrauterine pneumonia (IUP) (153,4 ± 0,93 conventional units), followed by those with neonatal pneumonia (NP) (157,3 ± 0,91) and purulent-inflammatory diseases (PID) (141,2 ± 0,84). These elevated CIC values are indicative of significant antigenic load, most likely acquired in utero. A statistically significant inverse correlation was observed between CIC levels and total complement activity (CH50), which was notably reduced in all pathological groups: 45,1 units in IUP, 44,3 units in NP, and 41,2 units in PID, compared to the reference value of 50,4 units. This decrease is presumed to result from complement consumption during the formation of immune complexes in the course of antigen -antibody interactions. Assessment of serum Ig G concentrations revealed a marked reduction in neonates with NP (5,0 ± 0,32 g/l) and a further decline in those with PID (3,8 ± 0,32 g/l), while relatively higher levels were maintained in the IUP group (5,0 ± 0,34 g/l). These findings suggest compromised transplacental transfer of maternal IgG and support the presence of intrauterine infection as a contributing etiological factor.