DEXTRAN ANTIBODIES, COMPLEMENT CONVERSION AND CIRCULATING IMMUNE-COMPLEXES AFTER INTRAVENOUS IRON DEXTRAN THERAPY IN DIALYZED PATIENTS

Serum immune complexes, plasma dextran antibodies and percentage conve rsion of complement have been measured in 20 dialysed patients before and after an intravenous infusion of iron dextran providing 600 mg ele mental iron. Complement conversion was unmeasurable and there were no changes in circulating immune complexes. The presence of dextran antib odies in nine patients before the infusion was not related to prior ex posure to iron dextran. They became undetectable in these patients wit hin hours after the infusion, reappearing 1 month later in three. Two of three patients reporting mild aches and shivers on the day followin g the infusion had no detectable dextran antibodies. An adverse reacti on involving inflamed joints occurred 1-2 days after a second infusion given to one of the patients studied above. The parameters under stud y were again measured and did not appear to relate to the reaction. Th e presence of dextran antibodies does not preclude the giving of iron dextran to patients on dialysis, and the immune complex and complement systems remain undisturbed by iron dextran infusions.