Home
HelpTest Code C2FXN C2 Complement, Functional, Serum
Reporting Name
C2 Complement, Functional, S, NRUseful For
Investigation of a patient with a low (absent) hemolytic complement
Method Name
Automated Liposome Lysis Assay
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Specimen Type
SerumOrdering Guidance
The total complement assay (COM / Complement, Total, Serum) should be used as a screen for suspected complement deficiencies before ordering individual complement component assays. A deficiency of an individual component of the complement cascade will result in an undetectable total complement level.
To evaluate for complement C2, C3, and C4 in one orderable, consider ordering C2 / C2 Complement, Functional, with Reflex, Serum.
Specimen Required
Patient Preparation: Fasting preferred
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Immediately after specimen collection, place the tube on wet ice and allow specimen to clot.
2. Centrifuge at 4° C and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
3. Within 30 minutes of centrifugation, freeze specimen. Sample must be placed on dry ice if not frozen immediately.
NOTE: If a refrigerated centrifuge is not available, it is acceptable to use a room temperature centrifuge, provided the specimen is kept on ice before centrifugation, and immediately afterward, the serum aliquoted and frozen.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | Frozen | 21 days |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | OK |
| Gross lipemia | Reject |
| Gross icterus | OK |
Reference Values
25-47 U/mL
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
CPT Code Information
86161
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| C2FXN | C2 Complement, Functional, S, NR | 93977-7 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| C2FX | C2 Complement,Functional,S | 93977-7 |
| INT53 | Interpretation | 69048-7 |
Test Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.Clinical Information
Complement proteins are components of the innate immune system. There are 3 pathways to complement activation: 1) the classical pathway, 2) the alternative (or properdin) pathway, and 3) the lectin (or mannan binding lectin) pathway. The classical pathway of the complement system is composed of a series of proteins that are activated in response to the presence of immune complexes. A single IgM molecule or 2 IgG molecules are sufficient to trigger activation of the recognition complex initiated by C1q. This activation process triggers a cascade that includes an amplification loop. The amplification loop is mediated by C3, with cleavage of a series of proteins, and results in 3 main end products: 1) anaphylatoxins that promote inflammation (C3a, C5a), 2) opsonization peptides that are chemotactic for neutrophils (C3b) and facilitate phagocytosis, and 3) the membrane attack complex, which promotes cell lysis.
The absence of early components (C1, C2, C3, C4) of the complement cascade results in the inability of immune complexes to activate the cascade. Patients with deficiencies of the early complement proteins are unable to generate lytic activity or to clear immune complexes. They may also have symptoms that suggest autoimmune disease in which complement deficiency may be an etiologic factor.
Although rare, C2 deficiency is the most common inherited complement deficiency. Homozygous C2 deficiency has an estimated prevalence ranging from 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 40,000 (the prevalence of heterozygotes is 1 in 100 to 1 in 50). Half of the homozygous patients are clinically normal.
However, discoid lupus erythematosus or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) occurs in approximately one-third of patients with homozygous C2 deficiency. Patients with SLE and a C2 deficiency frequently have a normal anti-double-stranded DNA titer. Clinically, many have lupus-like skin lesions and photosensitivity, but immunofluorescence studies may fail to demonstrate immunoglobulin or complement along the epidermal-dermal junction.
Other diseases reported to be associated with C2 deficiency include dermatomyositis, glomerulonephritis, vasculitis, atrophodema, cold urticaria, inflammatory bowel disease, and recurrent infections.
The laboratory findings that suggest C2 deficiency include a hemolytic complement of nearly zero, with normal values for C3 and C4.
Interpretation
Low levels of complement may be due to inherited deficiencies, acquired deficiencies, or due to complement consumption (eg, as a consequence of infectious or autoimmune processes).
Absent (or low) C2 levels in the presence of normal C3 and C4 values are consistent with a C2 deficiency.
Low C2 levels in the presence of low C3 and C4 values are consistent with a complement-consumptive process.
Low C2 and C4 values, in the presence of normal values for C3 is suggestive of C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency.
Cautions
As with all complement assays, proper specimen handling is of utmost importance to ensure that the complement system is not activated before clinical testing.
Method Description
Activity of C2 is measured by mixing patient serum with a C2-deficient serum. The lytic activity of the serum mixture is tested against sensitized, labeled liposomes. If lysis occurs, the patient serum must be the source of the C2. The target liposomes are a commercial reagent (WAKO total complement CH50), and the assay is performed on a Siemens Advia XPT.(Unpublished Mayo method)