Single stranded DNA binding antibodies in patients with obstructive jaundice.

An elevation of single stranded (ss) DNA binding antibodies was present in patients with biliary tract stones and/or tumor of the biliary tract or of the pancreas. The incidence of the appearance of ssDNA binding antibodies was 22 percent in cases of non-obstructive jaundice and 50 percent in those with obstructive jaundice. The incidence was particularly high (70 percent) in patients with obstructive jaundice of over 50 days duration. No significant correlation was seen between the levels of ssDNA binding antibodies and the serum total bilirubin. However, a significant correlation was observed between the levels of ssDNA binding antibodies and the serum IgM.