title: Complement components in Nigerians with bronchial asthma.
abstract: Serum complement components C1q, C3, C4, factor B, and C3d breakdown products were measured in asthmatic Nigerians and in age-matched and sex-matched controls. C3 mean level was higher than in controls while C1q and C4 mean levels were lower than in controls. High levels of C3d in asthmatic patients suggest the possible role of C3a and C5a anaphylatoxins in the etiopathogenesis of perennial asthma in Nigerian patients in a tropical environment with ubiquitous airborne allergens and infective agents. The significantly elevated levels of IgM and IgG may suggest recurrent respiratory challenge of perennial antigens in our environment.
authors: Department of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria.
authors: G C
authors: GC
authors: Onyemelukwe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology*; D003167:Complement Activation; D015922:Complement C1q / Q000032:analysis; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis; D015933:Complement C3d / Q000032:analysis; D003181:Complement C4 / Q000032:analysis; D011415:Complement Factor B / Q000032:analysis; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D003176:Complement C3; D003181:Complement C4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D015922:Complement C1q; D015933:Complement C3d; D003165:Complement System Proteins; D011415:Complement Factor B