desArg = without arginine

C3a desArg is a cleavage product of C3 complement component activation. Elevated levels of C3a have been reported in patients with acute lyme disease, acute pancreatitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and adult respiratory distress syndrome.

C3 is the most abundant protein of the complement system. C3 can be cleaved in two divalent fragments, where C3b is the larger fragment. C3a is the smaller fragment that is released into the surrounding fluids. C3a can bind to receptors on basophils and mast cells triggering them to release their vasoactive amines (e.g. histamine). Because of the role of these biomarkers in anaphylaxis, C3a is called an anaphylatoxin. C3a is one of the most potent constrictors of smooth muscle cells. C3a has been shown to be a multifunctional pro-inflammatory mediator.

- C3a may be an indicator of a Lyme-related issue if the Lyme is in an acute stage.

- Although C3a was shown to be elevated in a cohort of early, acute Lyme disease patients, it appears to be normal in chronic Lyme patients. 

- In mold, C3a is normal and C4a is high.

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18270493

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19140878

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/art.1780290905

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3263085

https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/328238

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1959484/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4753731/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16586433

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20012107

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2532535/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25520093

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19601884

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21615487

https://jacewellness.com/articles/Lab%20Testing%20for%20water%20damaged%20building%20illness.pdf 

https://www.survivingmold.com/docs/Resources/Shoemaker%20Papers/Lyme_acute_C4a_1_08_glovsky.pdf