Role of Complement in Defense Against Meningococcal Infection

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction The Complement Cascade The Classic Pathway The Alternative Pathway The Lectin Pathway Assembly of the Terminal Complement Components (Membrane Attack Complex) Regulation of the Complement Cascade in the Fluid Phase Membrane-associated Complement Receptors and Regulators Complement Deficiencies and Meningococcal Infections Correlation of Disease Severity with Complement Activation Complement Activation on Meningococci Capsular Polysaccharide and Serum Resistance Lipooligosaccharide Sialylation and Serum Resistance Complement Evasion by Meningococci Binding of Host Complement Regulatory Molecules Modulation of Sialic Acid Biosynthesis The MBL Pathway Blocking Antibodies Summary