Complement aberrations in serum from children with otitis due to S. pneumoniae or H. influenzae.
Complement components C1q, C1s, C3, C4, factor B and properdin were measured, together with C1 subcomponent complexes and Cq binding substances in acute and convalescent samples from patients with relapsing and non-relapsing otitis media due to S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae. Analysis of C1 subcomponent complexes together with the finding of low C1q levels gave evidence of a disturbed C1 function in acute OME. Furthermore, complement activation by the classical and by the alternative pathways was demonstrated. Complement aberrations were more pronounced in relapsing otitis than in non-relapsing otitis. C1q binding substances that might possibly cause the complement aberrations found were present in most of the patients.
D000208:Acute Disease; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003166:Complement Activating Enzymes / Q000032:analysis; D003172:Complement C1 / Q000032:analysis; D015922:Complement C1q; D003173:Complement C1s; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis; D003181:Complement C4 / Q000032:analysis; D011415:Complement Factor B / Q000032:analysis; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae; D006801:Humans; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000276:immunology*; D010035:Otitis Media, Suppurative / Q000276:immunology*; D011414:Properdin / Q000032:analysis; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae
D003172:Complement C1; D003176:Complement C3; D003181:Complement C4; D011414:Properdin; D015922:Complement C1q; D003165:Complement System Proteins; D003166:Complement Activating Enzymes; D003173:Complement C1s; D011415:Complement Factor B