Complement in Pericardial Fluid of Lupus Erythematosus

Studies in Two Patients

  1. GENE G. HUNDER, M.D., F.A.C.P.;
  2. BERNARD JAMES MULLEN, M.D.; and
  3. FREDERIC C. MCDUFFIE, M.D., F.A.C.P.
  1. Rochester, Minnesota

    Abstract

    Concentrations of whole hemolytic complement, three components (C1q, C4, C3), and C1INH were lower in the pericardial fluids of two patients with systemic lupus erythematosus with pericarditis than in the pericardial fluids of two control patients with valvular heart disease. Complement-fixing material was present in the systemic lupus erythematosus fluids, and evidence was found in these fluids but not the control fluids for in-vivo activation of both the classical and alternate complement pathways. These results suggest that immune mechanisms may contribute to the development of pericarditis in systemic lupus erythematosus.

    Article and Author Information

    • ▸From the Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester Minnesota.

    • Grant support: research grant AM-11630, National Institutes of Health; and a grant from the Minnesota Chapter, Arthritis Foundation.

    • ▸Requests for reprints should be addressed to Gene G. Hunder, M.D., Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55901.

      • Received September 4, 1973.
      • Accepted January 3, 1974.
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    1. Ann Intern Med April 1, 1974 vol. 80 no. 4 453-458
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