Synthesis of the complement factors C3and C4within the central nervous system over the course of aseptic meningitis

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Abstract
The concentrations of complement factors C3 and C4 were quantified by single radial immunodiffusion in unconcentrated CSF and serum from 38 patients up to 2 mo. after onset of acute aseptic meningitis (AM). Elevated absolute concentrations were found in CSF in 26 and 35 patients, respectively, and in serum in 8 and 31, respectively. Elevation of the CSF C3 index, equal to (CSF/serum C3):(CSF/serum albumin), and of the corresponding CSF C4 index were found in 16 and 7 patients respectively, as evidence of intrathecal synthesis. Only minor differences of the frequencies of elevated CSF C3 and C4 indices were encountered over the course of AM up to 2 mo. after onset. Apparently, intrathecal C3 and C4 synthesis in AM reflects activation of hitherto unknown significance within the CNS.