Immune complex diseases

Immune complex diseases (ICD) include different diseases of infectious and noninfectious origin in the pathogenesis of which the leading role belongs to immune complexes circulating in the blood stream. Three variants of the ICD course are distinguished: fulminant, acute, and chronic. The main morphological manifestation of ICD is vasculitis (in the fulminant course--microangiothrombopathy) and its consequences in the form of various circulation disorders. Renal glomeruli are frequently involved (glomerulonephritis). Immunopathologic reactions in the form of hypersensitivity reaction or inhibition of immune response are important in ICD.