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Screening for complement deficiencies in patients surviving from epidemic meningococcal disease
J M Rasmussen1, B Teisner, P Weihe
1Institute of Medical Microbiology, Odense University, Denmark.
Journal of Clinical & Laboratory Immunology
|April 1, 1988
Summary
Complement deficiencies are not a significant risk factor for meningococcal disease epidemics. A study found only one case of C3-deficiency linked to C3 nephritic factor (C3NeF) among survivors.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Meningococcal disease outbreaks pose significant public health challenges.
- The role of complement system deficiencies in disease susceptibility requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate complement (C) system deficiencies in patients who survived meningococcal disease.
- To determine if complement deficiencies are a risk factor during meningococcal disease epidemics.
Main Methods:
- Screening of 132 patient sera for hemolytic complement function.
- Immunochemical quantification of complement proteins in samples with reduced function.
- Identification of C3-deficiency and C3 nephritic factor (C3NeF).
Main Results:
- One patient identified with C3-deficiency (6% of normal) due to C3NeF.
- Eight patients showed minor complement protein aberrations.
- C3NeF did not cross-react with Neisseria meningitidis antigens.
Conclusions:
- Complement deficiency is not a major risk factor during meningococcal disease epidemics.
- C3NeF activity is not associated with cross-reactivity to specific Neisseria meningitidis strains.