Authors: Mary A. Williamson Mt(ascp) Phd,L. Michael Snyder Md
Arthritis
Nephritis
Rashes
Pneumococcal infections
Heterozygous mutations in plasma factors H and I result in consumption of C3, predisposing patients to infections and glomerulonephritis.
A genetic deficiency of complement regulatory proteins has been identified in 40–80% of cases of
atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS)
, a rare syndrome of microangiopathic hemolysis, thrombocytopenia, and renal failure. A deficiency of factor H (the most frequent abnormality in aHUS), C3 mutations, and deficiencies of membrane cofactor protein, factor I, factor B, and thrombomodulin.
Properdin (alternate pathway) deficiency is transmitted as an X-linked condition, and these males are affected by
Neisseria meningitidis
, often of unusual types.
Lectin pathway deficiencies are rare: deficiencies of MBL, MBL-associated protease 2, and ficolin-3 are associated with pyogenic infections, especially with encapsulated bacteria.
Increased
In inflammatory conditions that increase acute-phase reactants.
Complement may be normal or increased in:
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
Palindromic arthritis
Pseudogout and gout
Reiter syndrome