Eurofins Biomnis code

CC3

Synonyms

• Complement - C3 fraction
• C3 fraction - complement

Specialty

Immunology

Clinical significance

The C3 component plays a central role in both complement activation pathways with different specific proteolytic systems cleaving it to form either a classic or alternative C3 convertase. Cleavage of C3 releases the anaphylatoxin C3a and the C3b fragment which is part of the alternative C3 convertase. C3 levels can be low because of decreased synthesis (seen in forms of congenital deficiency associated with recurrent, severe infections and in terminal stage cirrhosis or high level acute hepatitis) or due to consumption. Reduced levels of components of the classic pathway (C1, C2, C4, C3) are common after such activation, e.g. in systemic lupus erythematosus, acute serum sickness and various different conditions associated with circulating immune complexes; reduced levels of C3 and Factor B with normal levels of C1, C2 and C4 are observed in membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and Gram-negative septicemia.High C3 levels are observed in superacute or chronic inflammation, intra- or extra-hepatic cholestasis and during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Preanalytics

• 1 x 1 mL :
• serum
•   Reftrigerated

• A tube specifically for this analysis : No

Methodology

Immuno turbidimetry

Turnaround time

2 days