[Evaluation of C3d in primitive chronic glomerular nephritis (author's transl)].

Plasma levels of C3d, which is liberated by enzymatic cleavage of C3, are determined in 97 patients with primitive chronic glomerular nephritis. This level is indicative of an abnormally high consumption of C3. In all cases where C3 is low, C3d is found at abnormally high levels. When the level of C3 is normal, C3d may, however, be elevated: a more subtle interpretation of the pathologic significance of C3 in immune disease is thus possible.