Abstract
The levels of complement activation products were measured in EDTA-plasma of term and preterm neonates with gestational age of 31-42 weeks. The anaphylatoxin C3a-desArg was quantitated with a noval ELISA system using monoclonal antibody reacting selectively with a neoepitope of C3a-desArg. ClrsClInativator and C3b(Bb)P which are generated only upon activation of the classical or alternative pathway, were determined by double sandwich ELISA systems. Plasma concentration of C3a-desArg of normal neonates (180 91ng/ml) did not differ significantly from a control group of adults (171±76 ng/ml), while C3-levels were significantly decreased compared to adults. C3a-desArg levels in cord blood were markedly diminished (85±64ng/ml), compared to venous blood, whereas C3 and the activation products ClrsClInactivator and C3(Bb)P showed no differences between cord blood and blood obtained by venipuncture. Neonates with amniotic infection as well as patients with early onset sepsis showed an initial manifold increase of C3a-desArg due to alternative pathway activation. Patients with perinatal asphyxia had only slightly elevated C3a-desArg levels. Thus, C3a-desArg seems to be a highly sensitive and specific indicator for severe neonatal infection.
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Zilow, G., Stute, M., Linderkamp, O. et al. 133 ANAPHYLATOXIN C3a-desArg AND COMPLEMENT ACTIVATION PRODUCTS OF THE ALTERNATIVE AND CLASSICAL PATHWAS IN NEONATES. Pediatr Res 28, 299 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199009000-00157
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199009000-00157