Humoral and cellular immune response to Buerger’s disease

Abstract Objective Thromboangiitis obliterans is a nonatherosclerotic occlusive disease, affecting small to moderate sized arteries of the upper and lower extremities, leading to progressive inflammation and clot formation. However, the role of humoral and cell-mediated immunity in the development of this disease has not been clearly identified. The present study was intended to investigate the humoral and cellular immune response in patients with Buerger’s disease with different disease severity. Methods In an observational study, 80 male patients with Buerger’s disease were included and categorized into three groups (mild, moderate, and severe) based on clinical manifestations. After blood sampling, cellular phenotypes were determined, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, immunoglobulins (Ig) A, M, G, and E, as well as C3 and C4 components of the complement system and complement hemolytic activity (CH50) were measured. Results The mean age of the patient was 42.85 ± 8.39 years. Pulse abnormality, cold intolerance, and claudication were the most common symptoms. Eleven (13.75%), 46 (57.50%), and 23 (28.75%) patients had mild, moderate, and severe symptoms. Regression analyses showed that the presence of severe symptoms was significantly associated with elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C4 levels (p