What complication is associated with hereditary deficiency of late complement components (C5, C6, C7, or C8) upon exposure?

Hereditary deficiency of late complement components, specifically components C5, C6, C7, or C8, is closely associated with an increased risk for systemic gonococcal infections. These deficiencies compromise the ability of the immune system to effectively deal with infections caused by Neisseria species, particularly Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The late complement components play a critical role in the formation of the membrane attack complex, which is essential for lysing gram-negative bacteria such as Neisseria.

When individuals with these deficiencies are exposed to Neisseria, they are unable to mount an effective immune response. This vulnerability leads to a higher incidence of severe and systemic infections, including those caused by gonococci, resulting in complications like disseminated gonococcal infection.

In contrast, while septicemia, chronic sinusitis, and skin infections can occur for many reasons, they are not specifically associated with deficiencies in these late complement components in the same manner as systemic gonococcal infection. Understanding the unique susceptibility to Neisseria infections provides insight into the importance of complement function in host defense mechanisms against specific pathogens.