Plasma immunoglobulins in patients with severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
Maneno muhimu
Kikemikali
OBJECTIVE
To assess immunoglobulin (Ig) concentrations in plasma and ascitic fluid of patients with severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).
METHODS
Controlled clinical study.
METHODS
Tertiary medical center.
METHODS
Ten patients with severe OHSS after ovulation induction for IVF and 10 controls who had undergone similar ovulation induction and did not develop OHSS.
METHODS
Three blood samples were obtained from each OHSS patient: one at the time of hospitalization for severe OHSS, one when significant clinical improvement was evident, and one at the first follow-up visit after discharge from the hospital. Blood samples were drawn from control patients 6-8 days after ET. Ascitic fluid was obtained from all patients with OHSS by therapeutic paracentesis.
METHODS
Immunoglobulin concentrations were assayed by radial immunodiffusion.
RESULTS
Significantly lower levels of gamma-globulins, specifically IgG and IgA, were detected in the plasma of patients with severe OHSS, whereas alpha- and beta-globulin levels as well as IgM levels were not significantly different from those in controls. Both IgG and IgA levels increased as patients clinically improved. Ascitic fluid contained high IgG, moderate IgA, and negligible IgM levels.
CONCLUSIONS
Severe OHSS is characterized by hypogammaglobulinemia, attributed to leakage of medium-molecular-weight immunoglobulins such as IgG and IgA to the peritoneal cavity.
