Complement Flashcards
1
Q
What is the complement system?
A
It is a family of 30 proteins produced by the liver. It si involved in inflammation,defence against bacteria and implicated in autommune disease.
2
Q
Name the pathways which can activate complement
A
Classical - binding of complement to antibodyantigen complex
Lectin
Alternate
Terminal
3
Q
Functions of complement
A
Inflammation Opsonation Membrane attack complex Clearance of iummune complexes Chemotaxis
4
Q
Complement deficiencies cause - what?
A
Susceptibility to infections
Systemic lupus erythematous
Hereditory angioedema
5
Q
How do you treat patients with complement deficiencies?
A
Meningovax, pneumovax HIB vaccines
Prophylactic antibiotics
Screen family members
