Abstract:
The complement system is a part of the immune system that enhances the ability of antibodies and phagocytic cells to clear microbes and damaged cells from an organism through inflammation, and attacks the pathogen's plasma membrane. However, the deficiency in any component of the complement system can lead to immunocompromise and overwhelming infection and sepsis. In Benghazi children hospital this study focused on measuring of complement components C3 and C4 levels in the serum of blood of the hospitalized patients and characterize the relation between the low levels of components C3 and C4 and the increase of C-reactive protein as a marker of microbial infection. In this study the complement C3 and C4 measurements showed that, the rate of components C3 and C4 deficiencies were (11.1%) and (0.7%) respectively. Using C-reactive protein as a marker for microbial infection has provided a clear image of strong correlation between the low levels of C3 and C4 and the increase of microbial infection.
