Complement activation in Henoch-Schönlein purpura.

The pathogenetic mechanism underlying Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is poorly understood. Complement activation has been thought to have a role, but despite the demonstration of complement components in skin and renal biopsy material, serological evidence of complement activation is not convincing. We have assessed complement activation in 64 children with acute HSP. We used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure plasma levels of three multimolecular complement activation protein (CAP) complexes: C1r:C1s:C1-inhibitor, C3bP and C5b-9. We found no significant difference between the levels of CAPs in children with acute HSP and a control group of children. This study does not support a role for complement activation in the pathogenesis of HSP.