Related Experiment Videos
Underlying complement deficiency in patients with disseminated gonococcal infection.
R T Ellison1, J G Curd, P F Kohler
1Infectious Disease Section, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Denver, CO 80220.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
|October 1, 1987
Summary
Individuals with disseminated gonococcal infection often have complement deficiencies. This suggests that inherited or acquired complement issues are a key factor predisposing patients to Neisseria gonorrhoeae systemic infections.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Genetics
Background:
- The complement system is crucial for innate immunity.
- Disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI) is a severe manifestation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection.
- Complement deficiencies are known risk factors for Neisseria infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of complement system abnormalities in patients with DGI.
- To identify potential host factors predisposing individuals to DGI.
Main Methods:
- Serum complement activity was measured in 22 patients with DGI.
- Patients' complement levels were compared to normal population means.
- Specific complement component deficiencies (C1r, C4, C8) were assessed in affected individuals.
Main Results:
- Three out of 22 DGI patients (13.6%) had complement activity below normal.
- One patient had a complete C1r deficiency.
- Another patient had low C4 levels associated with systemic lupus erythematosus; a third had C8 deficiency.
Conclusions:
- The frequency of complement deficiencies is higher in DGI patients than in the general population.
- Inherited or acquired complement deficiencies are significant predisposing factors for DGI.
- Evaluating complement status may be important for managing patients at risk for DGI.