Justification

The CH50 is the most common assay to measure total complement activity in the classical complement pathway (C1 through C9) by adding patient serum to sheep RBC coated with anti-sheep antibodies. The minimum dilution that lysis 50% of the cells determines the CH50.

STAT: < 24 hours (M-F)

Cell Lysis

Draw Tube: Red Top

Sample Type: Serum

Specimen Requirements

Sample Type Volume Required Minimum Volume Stability
PREFERRED Serum 1mL 0.5mL Room Temp.: 2 hours
Refrigerated: 2 hours
Frozen (-20C): 2 weeks
Frozen (-80C): 6 months
ALTERNATIVE - - - -
REJECTION CRITERIA Sample contamination; sample compromised
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS -

General Information

METHODOLOGY Cell Lysis
STAT TAT < 24 hours (M-F)
STAT TAT Performance > 90% of results released in 24 hours
ROUTINE TAT < 5 days (M-F)
ALTERNATIVE NAMES total hemolytic complement, THC, CH50
DESCRIPTION -
LIMITATIONS -
NORMAL RANGE Normal
ASSOCIATED TESTING -
REFERENCES -
SAMPLE REPORT Upon request
NEW YORK STATE APPROVED -

Test Codes

ORDER CODE -
CPT CODE 86162
LOINC CODE 4532-8