title: An investigation of the complement system in patients with periodic disease (results from 29 cases).
abstract: The complement system was investigated in 29 patients suffering from authentic periodic disease. A statistically significant increase in C4, also in total complement and C3 could be demonstrated. It is possible that the increase in C4 was due to the macrophages which are always present in the infiltrates of periodic disease. This biological observation is of clear practical importance for the diagnosis of the condition both before and after colchicine therapy.
mesh_terms: D003174:Complement C1 Inactivator Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D003173:Complement C1s / Q000378:metabolism; D003181:Complement C4 / Q000032:analysis; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D010505:Familial Mediterranean Fever / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007120:Immunochemistry; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D003174:Complement C1 Inactivator Proteins; D003181:Complement C4; D003165:Complement System Proteins; D003173:Complement C1s