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Total complement activity

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Total complement activity is a test performed to assess the level of functioning of the complement system.

The terms "CH50" 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.

References

Total complement activity Wikipedia