Complement Assays Overview

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary related to complement assays, including methods, definitions, and key concepts necessary for the exam.

Complement Assays

Tests designed to measure and evaluate complement components and their function within the immune system.

RID

Radial Immunodiffusion, a method used for quantitative measurement of specific antigens in serum.

Nephelometry

A method that measures the concentration of particles in a solution by detecting light scattered by the particles.

ELISA

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, a plate-based assay technique used to detect and quantify proteins, antibodies, and hormones.

Classical Pathway

A pathway of the complement system activated by antibodies bound to pathogens, leading to opsonization and lysis.

Hemolytic Titration (CH50) Assay

Measures the ability of serum to lyse 50% of antibody-sensitized sheep red blood cells, indicating classical pathway function.

Radial Hemolysis

A functional assay that uses antibody-coated rabbit RBCs to assess complement activity through clearing zones in a gel.

AH50

A modified CH50 assay used to evaluate the alternative complement pathway activity.

Specimen Handling

Critical steps in preparing and storing serum samples for accurate complement testing, including freezing and avoiding multiple freeze-thaw cycles.

Complement Fixation

A test used to detect the presence of antibodies by using complement as a reagent to see if lysis of indicator red blood cells occurs.