Opsonization of Group a Streptococci by Complement Deficient Blood from a Patient with Hereditary Angioneurotic Edema

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Abstract
Summary: A patient with hereditary angioneurotic edema was studied during two severe crises of edema at approximately 6-month intervals. C′2 serum levels ranged from 34 to 60 units/ml (normal controls 300 to 500 units/ml) and total complement (C′H50) levels ranged from 18 to 23 units/ml (controls 30 to 45 units/ml). Despite the C′ abnormality, the HAE patient's plasma showed normal coopsonin activity, that is, the rate of phagocytosis and destruction of encapsulated group A streptococci was optimal. Semi-quantitative assays of coopsonin in the HAE patient and in normal controls were made by diluting the plasma of each, respectively, in the plasma of a coopsonin-deficient individual who had normal C′ and C′2 levels. Opsonic tests made with these plasma dilutions showed normal levels of coopsonin in the HAE patient. The above studies provide further evidence for the independence of C′ and streptococcal coopsonin and indicate that the marked depletion of C′2 which occurred in a patient with HAE was not limiting for any function C′ may have in the opsonization of encapsulated group A streptococci.

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