Abstract
In a 2 years old boy two episodes of meningococcal septicemia gave rise to investigate the immune defense mechanisms. No abnormalities were found in respect to serum immunglobulin levels, lymphocyte subpopulations, response of lymphocytes to PILA and granulocyte functions (NBT reduction, phagocytic and bactericidal activities). The patient' s serum, however, totally lacked whole complement haemolytic activity. Detailed analysis of the complement system revealed a marked diminution of the functional activities of the complement factors C6 through C9. However, no single complement factor was completely absent.
Bactericidal and opsonic activities of the patient's serum on various bacterial strains were investigated in microcultures containing bacteria, serum of the patient and - when opsonic activity was studied - normal granulocytes. Inhibition of H3-thymidin uptake by growing bacteria was used as a parameter of serum-associated anti-bacterial activities. The results indicate that impaired function of late complement factors may predispose affected individuals for septicemia.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Müller, S., Taube, K., Rothor, V. et al. 34 DEFICIENCY OF LATE COMPLEMENT FACTORS WITH RECURRENT MENINGOCOCCAL SEPTICAEMIA. Pediatr Res 13, 953 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197908000-00050
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197908000-00050