Humoral and Complement Systems in Children With Acute Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura

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. 

This study aimed to evaluate complement and humoral immune systems in ITP. 

We evaluated 30 children (under 19 years old) with acute and chronic ITP referred to a tertiary hospital and compared them with 30 healthy volunteers. We assessed the samples’ CBC with differentiation, serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgE, IgM, IgA, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4) by nephelometry, antistreptolysin O titer by agglutination, CH50, C3, C4 by nephelometry, CD19 by flow cytometry, and anti-tetanus antibody titer by ELISA. Their demographic data were obtained with a questionnaire.

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, IgG1, C3, and tetanus antibody levels were significantly higher in the patient group.

Humoral and complementary immunodeficiency in these patients is unlikely. However, more studies with larger sample sizes are needed.