[Combined-heterozygous deficiency of complement C7 in a patient with recurrent meningitis].
BACKGROUND
The association between complement deficiencies and the increased risk for meningococcal infections and bacterial meningitis is well described and most striking in patients with deficiencies of one of the late complement components, i.e., C5-C9.


METHODS
In the presented study the first case of a patient with combined-heterozygous deficiency of complement C7 is described. The defect led to a strongly reduced but still measurable production of C7. However, the low concentration of C7 was not protective against recurrent bacterial meningitis.


CONCLUSIONS
The reported case illustrates once again the necessity of complement analysis in patients with meningitis. Not only patients with undetectable complement activity but also those with strongly reduced but still measurable complement function should be analyzed for a possible complement deficiency.
Schirinzi
Rebecca
R
Innere Medizin B, Universitätsspital Basel, Basel, Switzerland, and Service d'Immunologie Biologique, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Paris, France.
Lantin
Jean Pierre
JP
Frémeaux-Bacchi
Véronique
V
Schifferli
Jürg A
JA
Trendelenburg
Marten
M
D000328:Adult; D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003184:Complement C7 / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008581:Meningitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009154:Mutation; D010375:Pedigree; D012008:Recurrence; D013997:Time Factors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003184:Complement C7; D000658:Amoxicillin