Raji cell/immune complex test

[mom md]

My immunologist is having this done on my son on Wed. It tests for the presence of immune complexes in the serum and can show the presence of an autoimmune disease. It is not specific for what type of disease though. Seems like a good idea though. Has anyone had it done?

[peglem]

I've never heard of this test. Can you tell me more about it?

[kim]

http://www.enotes.com/microbiology-encyclo...ne-complex-test

 

Immune complex tests include the Raji cell, C1q binding, conglutinin, and anti-C3 assays. The Raji cell assay, for example, detects the immune complexes following the binding of the complexes with an immune molecule called complement. In addition, the complement has been labeled with a compound known as fluorescein isothiocyanate. The latter compound is able to fluoresce when light of a certain wavelength is shone on it. The detection occurs in a machine called a flow cytometer, in which fluid moves past a detector that is programmed to detect certain chemical aspects. In the Raji cell assay, detection of the fluorescent isothiocyanate indicates the presence of the immune complex.

 

A normal result in an immune complex test is a negative result. In other words, immune complexes are normally absent.

[peglem]

So, a positive test means.....?

[kim]

an immune complex is present!?

 

boy I hate this part of the paragraph

 

Normally, immune complexes are removed from the bloodstream by specialized cells of the spleen called macrophages and by other specialized cells located in the liver. However, if this clearance does not occur, the immune complexes will continue to circulate, and will become trapped in the kidneys, lung, skin, joints, or blood vessels.

[KeithandElizabeth]

What is the treatment for this if the test comes back abnormal?

 

Elizabeth

[peglem]

Okay, guess I'm not understanding what an immune complex is, or well, what are the implications. I gather they are not supposed to be there. Does the presence of immune complexes indicate an immune problem? An autoimmune problem? I tried reading some things about it- couldn't comprehend.

[mom md]

From what I can gather it is a nonspecific test to see if an autoimmune process is going on. My iummunologist is trying to gather any info she can to possibly present to the insurance company in the future if IVIG is needed. Rheumatic fever and PANDAS are an autoimmune disease. It is thought the antigen-antibody complexes possibly seed the tissue in the basal ganglia.

[kim]

mom md,

 

Wondering if you got any info back from this test yet?

[mom md]

Still waiting to hear. His strep titers fell after the prednisone but I am sure are abck up now after two allergy shots. We are stopping the allergy shots. He is definitely worse. I am waiting to talk to Latimer and the immunologist next week about proceeding with IVIG.

mom md,

 

Wondering if you got any info back from this test yet?

[kim]

I'm so sorry to hear that the allergy shots seemed to make things worse and hope things turn back around quickly.

 

Can you tell me if there is any reason to believe that any complex that has become "lodged" will be affected by IVIG?