Circulating immune complex in murine autoimmune hepatitis.

High level of circulating immune complexes (CIC) in the serum has been reported in different forms of hepatitis particularly in complicated cases of viral hepatitis due to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. In this study CIC level in experimental autoimmune hepatitis were assessed by detection of polyethylene glycol (PEG) index. The sera of mice with established autoimmune hepatitis (EAH) confirmed by histopathological study showed higher PEG index (C57BL/6 mice: 34.56 +/- 6.28 and C3H mice: 31.95 +/- 28.99). The control healthy mice showed lower PEG index (C57BL/6 mice: 19.48 +/- 6.85 and C3H mice: 21.27 +/- 6.1). The high level of PEG index in EAH was found statistically significant. The role of CIC in the development of autoimmune hepatitis is discussed.