Host serum protein levels in cysts of human hydatidosis

Abstract

8 proteins (albumin, IgG, IgM, IgA, C 3c, C 4, orosomucoid and α 1antitrypsin) were determined by laser immunonephelometry in hydatid cyst fluid from cysts and sera from 16 patients. The cystic level of albumin was 34.5 ± SD 59.1 μ/ml (range 3.6–85); of IgG 12.9 ± 18.7 μg/ml (1.9–75); of IgM 10.5 ± 10.4 μg/ml (3.37); and of IgA 7.2 ± 3.5 μg/ml (4–19.7). The 4 other proteins represented a smaller fraction: C 3c, 0.9 ± 0.60 μg/ml (0.5–2.5); C 4, 1.3 ± 0.9 μg/ml (0.5–3.5); orosomucoid, 2.8 ± 2.3 μg/ml (1.4–9.2); and α 1-antitrypsin, 5 ± 4.5 μg/ml (2–19). These 8 host proteins constituted 24.6 ± 24.5% (2.4–76) of the total hydatid cyst fluid proteins (343.7 ± 172.1 ug/ml, range 180–900). The albumin/IgG ratio of 3 ± 2.8 (0.4–10.8) in hydatid cyst fluid was more variable than that in sera, 2 ± 0.5 (1.2–2.7).