[Immunofluorescent demonstration of the 3d component of complement in alveolar pyorrhea]

Biopsy material of the gingiva obtained from 15 patients with alveolar pyorrhea and 5 persons comprising a control group at the age of 20 to 40 years were investigated by direct immunofluorescent method with the use of labeled fluorescein-isothiocyanatoms of rabbit antisera against IgG and C3 (the third component of compliment) of man, as well as histologically. Clinically, the degree of severity of the lesion was determined by the Russell's index (1956): 0--healthy persons (25%), 1--moderate gingivitis (5%), 2--gingivitis (10%), 6--parodontitis (55%), 8--severe parodontitis (5%). Histologically, mild, moderate, and severe forms of alveolar pyorrhea were singled out. The mild degree of lesion was noted in 30%, moderate--in 15%, and severe--in 45% of patients. The mild form corresponded to 0, 1, and 2, and the severe form--to 6 and 8 according to the Russell's index. In all observations, control including, the presence of IgG in cells of the connective tissue and inside the epithelium was noted. Positive reaction to C3 was observed only in diseased persons, being most pronounced in severe forms of histopathological changes and maximal clinical manifestations.