title: [Are C1q binding immune complexes appropriate as markers for infected ventriculo-atrial shunts?].
abstract: Routine C1q-fluid phase radioimmunoassay identified high levels of C1q-binding immune complexes in 3 patients with infected ventriculoatrial shunts (VAS). Accordingly, C1q-binding activity was prospectively studied in additional 36. VAS patients to learn whether the observed immune complex activity was secondary to bacterially contaminated shunts or was a normal sequela of continuous intravenous infusion of cerebrospinal fluid into the vascular space. Pathological levels of C1q-binding activity were detected in only 3 out of 32 patients without evidence of shunt infection. However, extremely high C1q-binding activities were measured in 4 more patients with proven shunt infections. Thus, elevated levels of C1q-binding immune complexes correlate with infected VAS. As shunt infection is otherwise difficult to detect, serum C1q-binding activity may prove to be a valuable diagnostic tool for this condition.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000032:analysis*; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D003166:Complement Activating Enzymes / Q000276:immunology*; D015922:Complement C1q; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D015922:Complement C1q; D003166:Complement Activating Enzymes
vernacular_title: Eignen sich C1q-bindende Immunkomplexe als Marker für infizierte ventrikuloatriale Shunts?