ACTIVATION OF THE ALTERNATIVE COMPLEMENT PATHWAY IN PATIENTS WITH EPIDEMIC HEMORRHAGIC FEVER

The levels of Factor B (B), properdin (P) and the third complement component (C3) in serial serum samples obtained from 36 hospitali- zed patients with epidemic hemorrhagic fever (EHF) were measured by single radial immuno- diffusion. These proteins of the alterna.tive activating pathway of C were activated and their circulating levels reduced. Good correlations were observed between the B, P a.nd C3 levels in patient sera The alternative C pathway was activated in these patients. The num.ber of the positive cases and positive sera was increa.sed with severity of illness, strongly suggesting the correlation of activatio,n of this pathway with the disease condition. In addition, activat.ion of the classical C pathway in the same patients was again observed through determination of activa- tion of the first complement component (CI) by assessing the ratio of the subunit Clr to subunit Cls (the Clr:Cls ratio) according to a method previously described. Some discrepancies were found in activation between the 2 pathways. A variety of biologically act.ive peptides produced during enormous activation of the C system via the alternative and classical pathwaysmay co-ntribute to a number of serious conse- quences in EHF, including increased vascular permeability9 hypotension, shock, hemorrhage and renal damage.     

大谷明教授谈日本控制乙型脑炎的策略

大谷明(AKIRA OYA)医学博士是日本国立预防卫生研究所所长,日本卫生界的权威泰斗,对流行病学和预防医学,特别是对日本控制乙脑的流行,作出了杰出的贡献。他长期专注於虫媒病毒和流感病毒的自然存活,改进乙脑和流感疫苗。最著名的是他建立了预测乙脑流行的监测网络系统,结合使用高度纯化的疫苗使乙脑病例数明显下降。现介绍作者於1991年3月25日在国立公众卫生院山崎室长的陪同下,拜访大谷明教授的谈话,希望能对国内某些虫媒传染病的防治有所借鉴。