Influence of splenectomy on immunoglobulins and complement components in major thalassemia

Abstract Introduction: Thalassemia is the most common hereditary anemia 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 IgA and complement components in patients with major thalassemia. Materials and Methods: This interventional semi-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. While 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 role in releasing immunoglobulins and starter proteins of complement activation pathways and splenectomy causes reduction in serum levels of immunoglobulins and complement components.