DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLASMA AND SERUM COMPLEMENT IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LIVER-DISEASE

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 25  (3) , 403-409
Abstract
Of 60 patients with chronic liver disease, 8 with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis had very low serum CH50 [total hemolytic complement (C)] but normal plasma CH50. The C component profiles of these sera revealed markedly decreased C4 [the 4th C component] and C2 activities and normal C3T (C3-C9) activities. The early C components probably were nonspecifically activated during blood coagulation in these patients. No difference between plasma and serum CH50 was found in patients with hepatitis B(s [surface]) antigen.