Circulating Immune Complexes in Disseminated Gonorrheal Infection

Abstract
Circulating immune complexes were detected by the [human Burkitts lymphoma] Raji-cell radioassay or the C1q [subunit of 1st component of complement] solid-phase assay in 13 of 17 patients with disseminated gonococcal infection. In contrast, only 3 of 20 patients with local gonococcal infection and 4 of 40 normal persons were positive. The immune complexes were 19S or larger in size. Complement abnormalities suggestive of complement activation showed some correlation with the levels of immune complexes in disseminated gonorrheal infection. In addition to bacterial dissemination, circulating immune complexes may be involved in the pathogenesis of disseminated gonococcal syndrome.

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