Serum bactericidal and opsonic activities in patients with non-alcoholic cirrhosis.
The increased susceptibility to infection suggests that patients with cirrhosis have abnormalities in host defense mechanisms. In the present study, serum bactericidal and opsonic activity were evaluated in patients with non-alcoholic cirrhosis. Seven (28 per cent) of 25 patients had diminished bactericidal activity and 14 (61 per cent) of 23 were found to have reduced opsonic activity. Serum C3, C4, and CH50 concentrations were significantly low in patients with diminished bactericidal activity. There was a strong correlation between complement levels and bactericidal activity. Deficient bactericidal and opsonic activities may explain the increased susceptibility to infections in patients with cirrhosis.
D001770:Blood Bactericidal Activity; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis; D003181:Complement C4 / Q000032:analysis; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D004926:Escherichia coli; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009895:Opsonin Proteins / Q000032:analysis*
D003176:Complement C3; D003181:Complement C4; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D009895:Opsonin Proteins; D003165:Complement System Proteins