C1q and C1 Subcomponent Complexes in Otitis-Prone and Non-Otitis-Prone Children A Prospective Study of Children during their First Years of Life |
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| Authors: | K. PRELLNER A. G. SJOHOLM G. HARSTEN J. HELDRUP O. KALM R. KORNFALT |
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| Affiliation: | From the Departments of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Lund, Sweden;From the Departments of Medical Microbiology, Lund, Sweden;From the Departments of Paediatrics University Hospital of Lund, Lund, Sweden |
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| Abstract: | ABSTRACT. Children with recurrent acute otitis media (rAOM) often show reduced C1q concentrations and an excess of (C1r-C1s)2 complexes. It is not known if such C1 aberrations precede development of rAOM or are a consequence of the infections. For this reason, serial investigation of C1q and C1 subcomponent complexes from birth until the age of three was performed in 113 children, 13 of whom developed rAOM. Clq concentrations at birth were found to be lower in the rAOM group than in children who did not experience acute otitis media, and were also correlated with age at the time of the first AOM episode. However, the wide variation of C1q within the groups precluded the use of C1q as a predictive marker. Excess (C1r-C1s)2 complexes were consistently absent at birth. High concentrations were found in children with established otitis media and the complexes persisted in association with recurrent disease. In conclusion, the C1 aberrations characteristic of rAOM were mainly acquired as a result of infection. |
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| Keywords: | complement factors children otitis media |
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