Changes of Serum Complement and Properdin Levels in Experimental Typhoid Fever

[摘要] Serum complement and properdin levels were determined throughout the incubation period and the entire course of experimental typhoid fever induced with one billion viable Salmonella typhosa in five of six volunteers. Four patients were treated with chloramphenicol. The clinical course of the disease was correlated with changes of serum complement and properdin levels, and bacteremia, as well as H- and O-antibody titers. During the incubation period, reduction of complement levels was seen in two cases with the disease and in one case that failed to develop typhoid fever; properdin titers rose in three cases. During the early phase of the illness with the appearance of the first symptoms, fever, and bacteremia, rising complement levels and falling properdin titers were the uniform changes seen in all five cases who developed the disease. Clinical and serological data were analyzed in detail. The literature was reviewed briefly.

[学科分类] 生物科学（综合）