 |
|
Serum Complement (C'3) Levels in Patients With Autoimmune Bullous Skin Diseases
Stephen I. Katz, MD;
Theodor M. Inderbitzin, MD;
Kenneth M. Halprin, MD
Arch Dermatol. 1970;102(4):368-370.
Abstract
By means of the radial immunodiffusion-assay technique the concentration of serum complement C'3 (β1C — β1A - globulin) in 18 patients with pemphigus and pemphigoid was determined. It was normal in 11, elevated in 6, and slightly depressed in 1 patient. Of seven patients with severe, widespread, untreated disease, three had increased serum C'3 levels, and one had a slightly depressed level. The sera of four patients were tested before and during treatment and the changes in serum C'3 levels were unrelated to the treatment or to the severity of the disease. These findings do not exclude the pathogenic involvement of complement in pemphigus and pemphigoid since (1) consumption of C'3 would have to reach drastic amounts to be detected or (2) other complement components may be essentially involved in the process of acantholysis.
Author Affiliations
Miami, Fla
From the Department of Dermatology, University of Miami, and the Dermatology Service, Veterans Administration Hospital, Miami, Fla. Dr. Katz is currently at Walter Reed General Hospital, Washington, DC.
Footnotes
Accepted for publication June 27, 1970.
Reprint requests to Department of Dermatology, University of Miami School of Medicine, PO Box 875, Miami, Fla 33152 (Dr. Inderbitzin).
 CiteULike  Connotea  Del.icio.us  Digg  Reddit  Technorati  Twitter
What's this?
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
Immunologic Response to A and B Erythrocytic Antigen: Comparison of Responses in Patients With Pemphigus and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Stringa et al.
Arch Dermatol 1976;112:489-492.
ABSTRACT
|
