Diagnosis of C7 deficiency
Investigation of a patient with an undetectable total complement level
Automated Liposome Lysis Assay
C7
Complement
Functional C7
Functional Complement
Hemolytic C7
Hemolytic Complement
Seventh Component of Complement
Serum Red
Patient Preparation: Fasting preferred
Supplies: Sarstedt 5 mL Aliquot Tube (T914)
Collection Container/Tube: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Immediately after specimen collection, place the tube on wet ice.
2. Centrifuge and aliquot serum into plastic vial.
3. Immediately freeze specimen.
0.5 mL
Gross hemolysis | OK |
Gross lipemia | Reject |
Gross icterus | OK |
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
Serum Red | Frozen | 14 days |
Diagnosis of C7 deficiency
Investigation of a patient with an undetectable total complement level
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 (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. The 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 (MAC), which promotes cell lysis.
Patients with deficiencies of the late complement proteins (C5, C6, C7, C8, and C9) are unable to form the MAC, and may have increased susceptibility to neisserial infections.
C7 deficiency is relatively rare, over 50 cases have been described. The majority of C7 deficiency cases have neisserial infections, but cases with systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and pyoderma gangrenosum have also been reported. The pathogenesis of the rheumatic disease is not clear.
Complement levels can be detected by antigen assays that quantitate the amount of the protein. For most of the complement proteins, a small number of cases have been described in which the protein is present but is nonfunctional. These rare cases require a functional assay to detect the deficiency.
36-60 U/mL
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 C7 levels in the presence of normal C3 and C4 values are consistent with a C7 deficiency. Absent C7 levels in the presence of low C3 and C4 values suggest complement consumption.
Absent (or low) C7 functional levels in the presence of normal C7 antigen levels should be replicated with a new serum specimen to confirm that C7 inactivation did not occur during shipping.
1. Sonntag J, Brandenburg U, Polzehl D, et al: Complement systems in healthy term newborns: reference values in umbilical cord blood. Pediatr Dev Pathol. 1998 Mar-Apr;1(2):131-135
2. Prellner K, Sjoholm AG, Truedsson L: Concentrations of C1q, factor B, factor D and properdin in healthy children, and the age-related presence of circulating C1r-C1s complexes. Acta Paediatr Scand. 1987 Nov;76(6):939-943
3. Davis ML, Austin C, Messmer BL, et al: IFCC-standardization pediatric reference intervals for 10 serum proteins using the Beckman Array 360 system. Clin Biochem. 1996 Oct;29(5):489-492
4. Gaither TA, Frank MM: Complement. In: Henry JB, ed. Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 17th ed. WB Saunders Company; 1984:879-892
5. O'Neil KM: Complement Deficiency. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2000 Oct;19:83-108
6. Frank MM: Complement deficiencies. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2000 Dec;47(6):1339-1354
7. Willrich MAV, Braun KMP, Moyer AM, Jeffrey DH, Frazer-Abel A. Complement testing in the clinical laboratory. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci. 2021 Nov;58(7):447-478. doi: 10.1080/10408363.2021.1907297
C7 complement activity is measured by mixing patient serum with a C7-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 C7. The target liposomes are a commercial reagent (WAKO total complement CH50), and the assay is performed on an Advia XPT.(Unpublished Mayo method)
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.
86161
Test Id | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
C7FX | C7 Complement, Functional, S | 87724-1 |
Result Id | Test Result Name |
Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
|
---|---|---|
C7FX | C7 Complement, Functional, S | 87724-1 |