Activated complement in the sputum from patients with cystic fibrosis
Schiøtz, P.O.; Sørensen, H.; Høiby, M.
Acta Pathologica et Microbiologica Scandinavica. Section C Immunology 87c(1): 1-5
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0304-1328 PMID: 433601 Accession: 004662020
Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients (14) chronically infected with mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa and presenting multiple precipitins in serum against this bacterium (CF + P), and 13 CF patients without P. aeruginosa infection (CF-P) had their plasma and sputum sol phase examined for albumin. C1q [q fragment of complement component 1], C3/C3c, C4 and C5 by means of electroimmunoassays. Their sputum sol phase was examined for factor B by rocket immunoelectrophoresis. C3c was demonstrated in the sputum sol phase, but was significantly more frequent (P < 0.01) among the CF + P patients than among the CF-P patients. Factor .hivin.B was demonstrated in the sputum sol phase, but no significant difference in frequency could be demonstrated between the CF + P and the CF-P patients. None of the results indicated that a local pulmonary production of complement factors took place. C activation was significantly (P < 0.01) associated with inflammation expressed as increased sputum sol phase albumin:plasma albumin ratio. C-mediated inflammation is important in the pathogenesis of pulmonary tissue damage in patients with CF. Chronic P. aeruginosa lung infection may be an immune complex disease in CF patients.