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Complement in overt and asymptomatic nephritis after skin infection
The Journal of Clinical Investigation
|June 1, 1970
Summary
Low complement levels (C3) in patients with streptococcal skin infections, particularly acute poststreptococcal nephritis, indicate kidney injury. This finding supports an immunologic mechanism in nephritis development.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Streptococcal skin infections are linked to acute glomerulonephritis (AGN).
- Complement levels (C3) and clinical signs of nephritis are key indicators.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of C3 levels in streptococcal infections and AGN.
- To determine if low C3 predicts subclinical nephritis.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed C3 levels in 784 patients with streptococcal infections (nephritis, siblings, impetigo).
- Correlated C3 levels with streptococcal serotypes and clinical nephritis manifestations.
Main Results:
- 93% of nephritis patients had low C3; 90% had nephritogenic strains.
- Low C3 was observed in 8% of siblings and 0.4% of impetigo patients with nephritogenic strains.
- Low C3 normalized within 2-12 weeks, suggesting transient immunologic activity.
Conclusions:
- Low C3 levels are strongly associated with acute poststreptococcal nephritis.
- Asymptomatic individuals with low C3 may have subclinical nephritis.
- Immunologic mechanisms likely precipitate renal injury in AGN.