Possible Clq bypass loop activation in the haemolytic uraemic syndrome.

Ultrastructural and immunofluorescent microscopic studies were performed on renal tissue obtained from nine patients during the acute and convalescent phase of the haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). All had glomerular deposits of IgM in the absence of circulating immune complexes. This was associated with deposition of Clq during the acute phase, and properdin and C3 during the convalescent phase. C4 was consistently absent. Since such a pattern of complement deposition does not fulfil criteria either for alternate or classical pathway activation, the possibility of Clq bypass loop activation by IgM is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]