[Combined-heterozygous deficiency of complement C7 in a patient with recurrent meningitis].

Abstract

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.

CASE REPORT:

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.

CONCLUSION:

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.

• Authors: Rebecca Schirinzi, Jean Pierre Lantin, Véronique Frémeaux-Bacchi, Jürg A Schifferli, Marten Trendelenburg
• Journal: Medizinische Klinik (Munich, Germany : 1983) (Med Klin (Munich)) Vol. 101 Issue 8 Pg. 655-8 (Aug 15 2006) ISSN: 0723-5003 [Print] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Kombiniert-heterozygote Defizienz von Komplementfaktor C7 bei einer Patientin mit rezidivierender Meningitis.
• PMID: 16896572 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Comparative Study, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Complement C7
• Amoxicillin

Topics

• Adult
• Amoxicillin (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Complement C7 (deficiency, genetics)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Heterozygote
• Humans
• Male
• Meningitis (drug therapy, etiology, immunology, prevention & control)
• Mutation
• Pedigree
• Recurrence
• Time Factors