Activation of human complement system in paracoccidioidomycosis.
Plasma samples of 14 patients with paracoccidioidomycosis were analysed for components that represent activation of the complement system. Most patients (12/13) showed significant titres of complement-fixing antibodies and 14/14 had increased C4d/C4 ratios. There was no conclusive correlation between these two immunological indices, however. Factor B values of patients were similar to normal donors and fragment Ba was not detected in any of the patients. These results indicate a classical complement pathway activation in the plasma of patients with paracoccidioidomycosis.
Munk
M E
ME
Departamento de Imunologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil.
Kajdacsy-Balla
A
A
Del Negro
G
G
Cuce
L C
LC
Da Silva
W D
WD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D003167:Complement Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D003181:Complement C4 / Q000032:analysis; D011415:Complement Factor B / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010228:Paracoccidioides / Q000276:immunology; D010229:Paracoccidioidomycosis / Q000276:immunology*
D000908:Antibodies, Fungal; D003181:Complement C4; D011415:Complement Factor B