Circulating immune complexes in African mothers and their newborns.
Circulating immune complexes were measured using the Clq-binding test in 185 African mothers and their newborns at delivery. Results were compared to non-pregnant African women, healthy European blood donors and to a group of European mothers and their newborns. Clq-binding activity was increased in African mothers and in non-pregnant African women. Circulating immune complexes rarely occurred in cord blood even when mothers showed a high Clq-binding activity. The levels of immune complexes were unrelated to malaria. Complement components Clq and C3 were lower in the newborns than in the mothers.
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D001666:Binding Sites, Antibody; D003172:Complement C1 / Q000032:analysis; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis; D007560:Cote d'Ivoire; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000276:immunology; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008288:Malaria / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D003172:Complement C1; D003176:Complement C3; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens