[The system of complement in active rheumatic fever]

Pathogenesis of inflammation in acute rheumatic fever is still unknown. There is humoral immune response against streptococcal products and streptococcal infection plays a role in etiopathogenesis. When inflammation is due to humoral immune mechanisms, the serum Complement system is the most important mediator. We studied functional aspects of the Complement system in nine patients suffering acute rheumatic fever, all of them with clear humoral immune response against streptococcus. We could not show any abnormalities in Complement. Probably, inflammation during acute rheumatic fever depends on Complement independent mechanisms.