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[Complement activity among individuals at a ground self-defense force base]
H Tanaka1, K Yamakami, S Honjo
1Department of Public Health, National Defense Medical College, Namiki 3-2, Tokorozawa, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan.
Insights
This mass screening identified 21 men with low hemolytic complement activity (hypocomplementemia). Early detection of complement deficiencies and associated diseases like hepatitis and glomerulonephritis was possible.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Clinical Chemistry
Context:
- Mass screening programs offer opportunities to assess population health.
- Complement system activity (CH50) is a key indicator of immune function.
Purpose:
- To investigate the distribution of hemolytic complement activity (CH50).
- To determine the prevalence of hypocomplementemia and associated disorders in a male Japanese population undergoing mass screening.
Summary:
- A mass screening of 1340 Japanese men measured CH50 levels.
- Twenty-one individuals exhibited hypocomplementemia, with identified cases of complement component deficiencies (C5, C9), cold activation, hepatitis B/C, glomerulonephritis, and possible SLE.
Impact:
- Highlights the utility of CH50 measurement in mass screenings for identifying immune deficiencies.
- Suggests that low complement activity can be an early marker for various systemic diseases, enabling timely intervention.
Objective:
This study aims to examine the distribution of hemolytic complement activity, the prevalence of hypocomplementemia and the disorders causing hypocomplementemia among individuals taking part in a mass screening program.
Methods:
The subjects consisted of 1340 male Japanese participating in a mass screening program at a Ground Self-Defense Force base in Asaka. We measured the hemolytic complement activity (CH50) after overnight fasting. The CH50 levels for hypercomplementemia and hypocomplementemia were defined as those outside the range of mean +/- 2 SD, respectively. We next measured the concentration of complement components: CIq, C4, B, C3, C5, C9, and C1-inhibitor for men with hypocomplementemia. Rheumatoid factor, ANA, HBsAg, HbsAb, and HCVAb were also measured.
Results:
The mean +/- SD of age was 43.7 +/- 5.7. The CH50 levels ranged from 7.2 to 66.4 U/ml (mean +/- SD = 37.1 +/- 4.0 U/ml). Twenty-one and 37 men were classified as having hypocomplementemia (CH50 < 29.1 U/ml) and hypercomplementemia (CH50 > 45.1 U/ml), respectively. The age of the individuals with hypocomplementemia was 43.9 +/- 5.6 (Mean +/- SD) years. Three men with C9 deficiencies, 2 men with C5 deficiencies and 7 men with cold activation were identified among the 21 hypocomplementemic men. Three hepatitis C and 2 hepatitis B patients were also found among the 21 hypocomplementemic men. Other disorders found among the hypocomplementemic men were 3 glomerulonephritides and 1 possible SLE.
Conclusion:
We examined the distribution of CH50 levels in 1340 adult male Japanese. We identified 21 men with hypocomplementemia, and also found 5 cases of complement component deficiencies among 21 hypocomplementemic men. In addition the measurement of the complement activity may have also helped detect the presence of hepatitis, hypocomplementemic glomerulonephritis and collagen disease at an early stage.