Post-traumatic pleural effusion: demonstration of local complement consumption.
The present case report describes a 27-year-old patient who presented with post-traumatic pleural effusion. Analysis of the pleural fluid showed hypereosinophilia (990 mm-3), a decreased level of total complement, and decreased levels of C3 and C4 fractions (less than 50% of normal serum levels), indicating a local consumption mechanism for complement. Complement serum levels (CH50, C3, C4) were normal. All other aetiologic possibilities were eliminated. This case suggests that the immunopathological mechanism of post-traumatic pleural effusion may involve activation of the classical pathway of complement and a recruitment of inflammatory cells such as eosinophils.
de Blay
F
F
Hôpital Civil, Strasbourg, France.
Aykut-Baturalp
A
A
Goetz
J
J
Purohit
A
A
Perez-Infante
A
A
Hauptmann
G
G
Pauli
G
G
D000328:Adult; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000276:immunology; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis; D003181:Complement C4 / Q000032:analysis; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000276:immunology*; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*
D003176:Complement C3; D003181:Complement C4; D003165:Complement System Proteins