title: Protein C deficiency in the compensated form of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis.
abstract: Plasma levels of protein C (enzyme immunoassay), albumin (electrophoresis), and transthyretin (radial immunodiffusion) were measured in 15 patients with the compensated hepatosplenic form of schistosomiasis and in 10 healthy volunteers. Plasma levels of protein C were below normal in 47% of the schistosomiasis patients; this deficiency could be explained by diminished hepatic synthesis since it occurred in conjunction with low plasma levels of albumin and/or transthyretin. In 33% of the schistosomiasis patients, plasma levels of protein C were below 0.5 U/ml, a value which has been associated with thrombotic disease. Protein C deficiency may explain the unexpectedly low incidence of hemorrhagic episodes, as well as the occurrence of portal vein thrombosis that is not infrequent in these patients.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011169:Portal Vein; D011228:Prealbumin / Q000097:blood; D011486:Protein C / Q000032:analysis; D020151:Protein C Deficiency; D011517:Prothrombin Time; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000097:blood*; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D011228:Prealbumin; D011486:Protein C; D012709:Serum Albumin