COMPLEMENT AND ITS COMPONENTS IN HUMAN CEREBROSPINAL FLUID 1

Abstract

About 1/3 of the samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) taken prior to pneumo-encephalography showed hemolytic C[image] activity when tested directly with sensitized sheep red cells. All but two of 22 samples tested increased lysis by a fractional unit of serum C[image]. Qualitative tests for the 4 components of C[image] indicated their presence in those samples in which tests were made for all. C[image] activity has been demonstrated in CSF containing protein in normal concn. and in CSF from patients with clinical diagnoses compatible with a normal permeability of the meningo-vascular barrier.