title: C1q and C1 subcomponent complexes in otitis-prone and non-otitis-prone children. A prospective study of children during their first years of life.
abstract: Children with recurrent acute otitis media (rAOM) often show reduced C1q concentrations and an excess of (C1r-C1s)2 complexes. It is not known if such C1 aberrations precede development of rAOM or are a consequence of the infections. For this reason, serial investigation of C1q and C1 subcomponent complexes from birth until the age of three was performed in 113 children, 13 of whom developed rAOM. C1q concentrations at birth were found to be lower in the rAOM group than in children who did not experience acute otitis media, and were also correlated with age at the time of the first AOM episode. However, the wide variation of C1q within the groups precluded the use of C1q as a predictive marker. Excess (C1r-C1s)2 complexes were consistently absent at birth. High concentrations were found in children with established otitis media and the complexes persisted in association with recurrent disease. In conclusion, the C1 aberrations characteristic of rAOM were mainly acquired as a result of infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Prellner
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Sjöholm
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Harsten
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heldrup
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kalm
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kornfält
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000367:Age Factors; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003172:Complement C1 / Q000032:analysis*; D015922:Complement C1q / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000276:immunology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D003172:Complement C1; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D015922:Complement C1q