title: Assay of immune complexes in infantile hydrocephalus among Nigerians.
abstract: The immune complexes in infantile hydrocephalic CSF in Nigerian children using a laser nephelometer were quantified. The values obtained were relatively low when compared with the serum levels. There was no evidence of selective admixture or of a breakdown of blood-brain-barrier (BBB). The low levels of immune complexes, when associated with implantation of shunt device for treatment of the hydrocephalus, may be a predisposing factor that can lead to overwhelming infection among this group of patients in a developing country like Nigeria. Between the hydrocephalic fluid and lumbar CSF, an IgG gradient was found.
mesh_terms: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000276:immunology*; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000378:metabolism; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000378:metabolism; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000378:metabolism; D007223:Infant; D009549:Nigeria
chemical_list: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M