Effect of intravenous gamma-globulin therapy on lymphocyte population in pregnant women with antipho
Akush Ginekol (Sofiia). 2004;43(2):3-10.

[Effect of intravenous gamma-globulin therapy on lymphocyte population in pregnant women with antiphospholipid antibodies]

[Article in Bulgarian]

Konova E, Ivanova I, Petrova P, Popov I, Andreeva Kh, Lukanov Ts, Gecheva S.

The aim of the study was to establish the distribution of the lymphocyte populations in peripheral blood in pregnant women with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) and a history of recurrent pregnancy loss as well as to make a study on the influence of the intravenous IgG-treatment (IVIg) on the levels of antibodies and peripheral lymphocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 14 pregnant women were investigated. The latter had two or more recurrent abortions and positive aPL--anticardiolipin (aCL) and/or anti-beta 2-Glycoprotein I (anti-beta 2-GPI). The lymphocyte populations were examined, using a flowcytometric method in peripheral blood before 6-7th gestational week and on the 10-14 day after the second IVIg infusion. 10 pregnant women wer used as controls who had no aPL antibodies and no pregnancy loss. RESULTS: 13 out of 14 pregnancies were successful Lymphocyte populations of the examined patients before the first infusion compared to the controls showed statistically significant differences for: T-lymphocyted Th(reduced) and CD3-CD56 + NK (increased) Significant increase after therapy was noticed for the levels of T-lymphocytes, and Th while the NK-cell populations were significantly reduced. CONCLUSIONS: aPL-positive pregnancies most probably were associated with elevated and activated peripheral NK-cell subpopulations. The low doses of IVIg successfully reduce the levels of aPL, as well as peripheral CD3-CD56 + NK cells.

Publication Types:
  • Clinical Trial

PMID: 15185522 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]