Total complement activity
| Total complement activity | |
|---|---|
| Purpose | assess the level of functioning of the complement system |
Total complement activity is a test performed to assess the level of functioning of the complement system.
Procedure
| C4 (C) | FB (A) | C3 | CH50 | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| · | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | PSG, C3 NeF AA |
| ↓ | · | ↓ | · | HAE, C4D |
| · | · | · | ↓ | TCPD |
| ↓ | ·/↓ | ↓ | ↓ | SLE |
| ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | inflammation |
The terms "CH50"[1] or "CH100" may refer to this test. The test is based on the capacity of a serum to lyse sheep erythrocytes coated with anti-sheep antibodies (preferably rabbit IgG).
In combination with the Alternative pathway hemolytic assay ("AH50") it can indicate terminal pathway deficiencies (C3, C5-C9; absence of hemolysis in both CH50 and AH50), classic pathway deficiencies (C1, C2, C4; absence of lysis in CH50) and alternative pathway deficiencies (Factor I, B, H, D, properdin; absence of lysis in AH50).
Increased CH50 values may be seen in cancer or ulcerative colitis. Decreased CH50 values may be seen in cirrhosis or hepatitis[2] or Systemic lupus erythematosus.
References
- ^ Michael T. Lotze; Angus W. Thomson (2005). Measuring immunity: basic biology and clinical assessment. Academic Press. pp. 151–. ISBN 978-0-12-455900-4. Retrieved 3 December 2010.
- ^ "Complement: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia". medlineplus.gov. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
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