PEDIATRICS Vol. 60 No. 6 December 1977, pp. 901-907
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Complement Activation and Group B Streptococcal Infection in the Newborn: Similarities to Endotoxin Shock

Lawrence J. Fenton M.D.1 and Robert C. Strunk M.D.1

1 Department of Pediatrics, University of Arizona, Arizona Health Sciences Center, and the Tucson Medical Center, Tucson

Serial measurements of CH50, C3, C4, and factor B were performed on three newborn infants with group B streptococcal sepsis. Two of the septic infants had a colonized but noninfected identical twin. All three infants with group B streptococcal sepsis had hypotension, prolonged coagulation times, neutropenia, and respiratory failure. During the course of the sepsis, factor B was depressed 30% to 35%, C3 was depressed 40% to 60%, and CH50 was depressed by 100% when compared to their cord blood levels. Two of the infants also had a 50% to 70% depression of C4. In contrast, no significant decrease in complement levels occurred in the siblings of the twins or in two additional control infants.

These data are characteristic of older patients with Gramnegative sepsis and strongly suggest that the group B Streptococcus has endotoxin-like properties.

Submitted on April 18, 1977
Accepted on September 21, 1977




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