Comparison of complement activation between tuberculous and malignant pleuritis

Abstract

Complement activation products in pleural effusions were studied to clarify the causes of tuberculous and malignant pleuritis. Pleural SC5b-9, an activation product of complement common pathway, was significantly higher in tuberculous effusions than in malignant ones. In the tuberculous effusions, the levels of SC5b-9 and LDH (a marker of tissue damage) were significantly correlated, but in the malignant effusions these two values were not correlated. In the tuberculous effusions, SC5b-9 and Bb values were significantly correlated, but SC5b-9 and C4d were not, and nor were SC5b-9 and immune complex. In the malignant effusions, SC5b-9 and Bb values were low and were not significantly correlated. These results suggest that complement activation plays a significant role in tuberculous pleuritis, but not in malignant pleuritis.