Underlying complement deficiency in patients with disseminated gonococcal infection.
The complement system was evaluated in 22 individuals with disseminated gonococcal infection. Three of the 22 patients exhibited a total serum complement activity that was greater than 2 SD below the normal mean. Of these three, one had a complete deficiency of C1r, a second patient had pre-existing systemic lupus erythematosus with low levels of C4, and the third had a C8 concentration that was 60% of normal. We conclude that the prevalence of inherited or acquired complement deficiency among patients with disseminated gonococcal infection exceeds that among the general population and is an important host factor predisposing to systemic infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Ellison
R T
RT
Infectious Disease Section, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Denver, CO 80220.
Curd
J G
JG
Kohler
P F
PF
Reller
L B
LB
Judson
F N
FN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003166:Complement Activating Enzymes / Q000172:deficiency; D003172:Complement C1 / Q000172:deficiency; D015923:Complement C1r; D003181:Complement C4 / Q000172:deficiency; D003185:Complement C8 / Q000172:deficiency; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000276:immunology*; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D003172:Complement C1; D003181:Complement C4; D003185:Complement C8; D003165:Complement System Proteins; D003166:Complement Activating Enzymes; D015923:Complement C1r