Complementing the patient: a complement component deficiency in a patient with recurrent infections and glomerulonephritis.
We present a case showing the investigation of a 7-year-old girl with empyema and glomerulonephritis whose "immunological" defect was a single complement component (C2) deficiency which prevented her from activating her classical complement pathway. A defect in complement function should be suspected in any patient with severe or recurring pyogenic infections. Investigations of "? immune deficiency" should always include tests to assess the patency of the patient's complement system.
Sinclair
David
D
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, UK. david.sinclair@porthosp.nhs.uk
Wilde
Graeme
G
Bex
Samantha
S
Peters
Sheila
S
D002648:Child; D003175:Complement C2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000172:deficiency*; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000302:isolation & purification
D003175:Complement C2