Influence of splenectomy on immunoglobulins and complement components in major thalassemia

BACKGROUND Thalassemia is the most common anemia with hereditary base in Iran. The aim of this study was to evaluate the humoral immune system and assess the effect of splenectomy on the serum level of immunoglobulins IgG, IgM, and IgG and complement components in patients with major thalassemia. METHODS This quasi-experimental study (before-after) was performed on 40 patients with major thalassemia that referred to the treatment centers of Babol for splenectomy from March 2011 to March 2013. RESULTS The mean age of patients under study was 25.38±6.89 years. The results of this study showed that the rate of IgA and IgM had a significant decrease after splenectomy. However, the increase of serum level in IgG in this study was not significant. The serum levels of C3 and CH50 were evaluated in all patients that its reduction was statistically significant, but the decrease of serum levels in C4 was not significant. CONCLUSION The spleen plays a role in releasing immunoglobulins and starter proteins of complement activation pathways and splenectomy causes reduction in the serum levels of immunoglobulins and complement components.