Aspects of humoral immunity in ulcerous colitis

Various immunological indices, hitherto considered in isolation, were evaluated in a single group of 20 cases of ulcerous colitis. Immunofluorescence showed anticolon Ab in 3 cases (15%), whereas this feature was absent in a control group. Antistomach, antithyroid and non organ specific Ab's (ANA, AMA, SMA) were equally incident in both groups. One case is examined separately on account of its simultaneous presentation of human and rat antistomach and antithyroid and antismooth muscle Ab's. Rheuma test, Waaler Roose reaction, L.E. phenomenon and test, and direct and indirect Coombs test results were negative in nearly all cases. Slight quantitative changes in serum proteins revealed by electrophoresis and immunodiffusion were indicative of inflammation with a immunogenic tendency. The data are not sufficient to support the attribution of an autoimmunizational etiology to ulcerous colitis, though simultaneous evaluation of reaction indices serves to strengthen this view.