보체계는 우리 몸에서 감염에 대한 초기 방어를 담당하는데 그중 후기 보체 성분의 결핍시 수막구균의 감염에 쉽게 노출된다. 특히 재발 감염된 수막구균 혈증 환자에서 보체계의 검사가 반드시 필요할 것으로 생각되는 바이다. 저자들은 재발성 수막구균 혈증으로 치료받은 환자에서 C7 결핍증을 경험하였기에 이를 보고하는 바이다.
The complement system is important in the generation of the normal inflammatory response and in host defense against systemic infection. Therefore, inherited or acquired deficiency of complement is associated with an increased frequency of infection. As a major effector of the complement cascade, the membrane attack complex is responsible for direct complement dependent serum bactericidal activity. Especially late complement component deficiency has a markedly increased risk of meningococcal infection and is subject to recurrent infection. We experienced a patient who had recurrent meningococcal meningitis and septicemia. The patient was 13-years old boy and he had a recurrent episode after 20 months. At second admission, we examined complement level and C7 deficiency was confirmed. He was treated without complication. We report a case of deficiency of C7 with recurrent meningococcal meningitis and septicemia.
