Deficienty of specific HLA antibodies in severe pregnancy pre-eclampsia/eclampsia.

The paradox of the survival of the foetal allograft remains unresolved as does the aetiology of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia--the principle disease of pregnancy. In a prospective study of very severe cases of pre-eclampsia we have found significantly reduced antibody to paternal histocompatibility antigens. Lowered immune response to the foetal allograft may play a role in severe cases of pre-eclampsia.