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

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Published on: March 29, 2010

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
PubMed

Insights

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.

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