Nonspecific complement activation by streptococcal structures. II. Properdin-independent initiation of the alternate pathway.

Complement consumption by isolated membranes and walls from Group A streptococci and various other gram-positive microbes has been tested. These microbial structures were found to activate the alternate complement pathway. However, unlike endotoxin, inulin, or other plant polysaccharides, activation of complement by our material was found to bypass properdin. The activating factor(s) also differs from cobra venom in its/their requirement for factor D. Preliminary experiments suggest this factor isolated from membranes to be a protein and to have a mol wt greater than 40-60,000 daltons. Our studies have led us to speculate that the phylogenetic role of the alternate complement pathway may be the primordial nonspecific defense system which has retained certain fundamental aspects up to the present time.

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Alternate complement pathway activation by group A streptococci: role of M-protein.

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.26.3.1172-1176.1979 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 26 (3) ◽

pp. 1172-1176 ◽

Cited By ~ 48

Author(s):

A L Bisno

Keyword(s):

M Protein ◽

Group A Streptococci ◽

Complement Pathway ◽

Pathway Activation ◽

Alternate Complement Pathway ◽

Group A

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Role of Non-Group A Streptococci in Acute Pharyngitis

The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine ◽

10.3122/jabfm.2009.06.090035 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 22 (6) ◽

pp. 663-669 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

J. Tiemstra ◽

R. L. F. Miranda

Keyword(s):

Group A Streptococci ◽

Acute Pharyngitis ◽

Group A

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Opsonic Activity in the Newborn: Role of Properdin

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.52.1.134 ◽

1973 ◽

Vol 52 (1) ◽

pp. 134-137

Author(s):

Thomas P. Stossel ◽

Chester A. Alper ◽

Fred S. Rosen

Keyword(s):

Complement Pathway ◽

Opsonic Activity ◽

Cord Serum ◽

Alternate Complement Pathway

Relative to pooled adult serum, most cord sera have normal or slightly diminished opsonic activity. Fifteen percent of the cord sera had markedly impaired opsonic power. This activity did not correlate with immunoglobulin or C3 levels but was associated with significantly subnormal concentrations of GBG, a component of the properdin system. The deficient opsonic activity of some cord serum is thus due to hypofunction of the alternate complement pathway.

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Streptococcal pharyngitis in general practice. 2. A note on dual infection and transient urinary abnormalities

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268800050159 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 109 (2) ◽

pp. 191-197 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

P. M. Higgins

Keyword(s):

General Practice ◽

Clinical Evidence ◽

Dual Infection ◽

Streptococcal Pharyngitis ◽

Microscopic Haematuria ◽

Group A Streptococci ◽

Group A ◽

Post Streptococcal Glomerulonephritis ◽

Urinary Abnormalities

SUMMARYIn an uncompleted study in 1965 microscopic haematuria in the second or third week after acute pharyngitis was found four times more often in patients with either microbiological or clinical evidence of dual infection with both group A streptococci and a virus than in patients with evidence only of infection with group A streptococci.Prospective studies of the role of viruses in the aetiology of transient haematuria and of acute post streptococcal glomerulonephritis are feasible in general practice and would be most productive if concentrated in children 5–9 years of age.

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