Abstract
A case of glomerulonephritis complicating staphylococcal endocarditis is presented. Hypo-complementaemia and a C3-activating factor in the serum suggested that the patient might have mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis in association with C3-nephritic factor. Renal biopsy showed that this was not so and further examination of the serum factor showed that it differed from classical C3-nephritic factor because it was not an immunoglobulin.
It is postulated that complement activation and glomerulonephritis in staphylococcal endocarditis may be the direct result of a bacterial product. A substance in the serum which activates C3 should be confirmed to be an immunoglobulin before the presence of classical C3-nephritic factor is assumed.
It is postulated that complement activation and glomerulonephritis in staphylococcal endocarditis may be the direct result of a bacterial product. A substance in the serum which activates C3 should be confirmed to be an immunoglobulin before the presence of classical C3-nephritic factor is assumed.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 895-898 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | QJM: An International Journal of Medicine |
Volume | 65 |
Issue number | 2 |
Publication status | Published - Nov 1987 |