Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Measuring the 50% Haemolytic Complement (CH50) Activity of Serum
08:26

Measuring the 50% Haemolytic Complement (CH50) Activity of Serum

Published on: March 30, 2010

[Complement C3 and C4 levels in serum from acute viral hepatitis]

F T Ozer1, A Barut, A Inal

  • 1GATA Infeksiyon Hastaliklari ve Klinik Mikrobiyoloji Anabilim Dali.

Mikrobiyoloji Bulteni
|October 1, 1992
PubMed

Insights

Complement component levels, specifically C3, were significantly reduced in patients with acute viral hepatitis A and B. This finding highlights potential immune system alterations during these common liver infections.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Hepatology
  • Virology

Context:

  • Acute viral hepatitis, including Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections, is a common global health concern.
  • The innate immune system, particularly the complement system, plays a role in viral infections.
  • Understanding complement component behavior during viral hepatitis is crucial for assessing disease mechanisms.

Purpose:

  • To investigate the levels of C3 and C4 complement components in patients with acute viral hepatitis.
  • To compare complement levels between patients with Hepatitis A virus and Hepatitis B virus infections.
  • To evaluate the statistical significance of changes in C3 and C4 concentrations during the acute phase of viral hepatitis.

Summary:

  • Serial measurements of C3 and C4 complement components were conducted in 50 patients with acute viral hepatitis (17 HAV, 33 HBV) and 50 healthy controls.
  • A statistically significant reduction in serum C3 complement component concentration was observed in patients with viral hepatitis.
  • No statistically significant reduction was found in serum C4 complement component levels, despite a general decrease.

Impact:

  • The study identifies a significant alteration in the C3 complement component during acute viral hepatitis, suggesting its involvement in the host's immune response.
  • Findings may contribute to a better understanding of the immunopathogenesis of Hepatitis A and B.
  • Further research could explore the clinical implications of C3 reduction in viral hepatitis prognosis or as a potential biomarker.

More Related Videos

Methods for Quantitative Detection of Antibody-induced Complement Activation on Red Blood Cells06:29

Methods for Quantitative Detection of Antibody-induced Complement Activation on Red Blood Cells

Published on: January 29, 2014

Modeling Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Non-Hepatic 293T-NE-3NRs Cells09:02

Modeling Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Non-Hepatic 293T-NE-3NRs Cells

Published on: June 5, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Complement System01:27

Complement System

The complement system is a group of approximately 20 plasma proteins that strengthen the body's defenses against infections through opsonization, inflammation, and cell lysis. Opsonization involves coating pathogens with complement proteins, making them more recognizable and facilitating phagocyte engulfment. Certain complement proteins induce inflammation that attracts immune cells to the site of infection. Cell lysis involves the destruction of pathogens through the formation of a membrane...
Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
Hepatitis01:25

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver most commonly caused by hepatotropic viruses (A–E), though non-infectious causes such as alcohol and drugs also exist.Hepatitis AHepatitis A virus (HAV) is a non-enveloped RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family. It is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, typically through ingestion of contaminated food or water. After ingestion, HAV enters the bloodstream through the oropharynx or intestinal epithelium and reaches the liver. The...
Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction01:28

Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction

Viral hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver caused by infection with hepatotropic viruses, most commonly hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Despite variations in structure and transmission, all viruses mentioned infect hepatocytes and provoke immune responses that can hinder liver function. Additionally, some non-hepatotropic viruses can also lead to hepatic inflammation.Hepatitis A VirusHepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted through the fecal–oral route, typically by ingestion of food...