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Complement 8

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB6243, Beaker: XCMP8, Mayo: C8FX

Department

Send Outs

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect (preferred specimen): One plain Red-top tube.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Transfer serum to a plastic transport tube and freeze (-20°C/-4°F or below) immediately.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 1.0 mL serum, frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below). (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Rejection Criteria

Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

Centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Transfer serum to a plastic transport tube and freeze (-20°C/-4°F or below) immediately.

Transport: 1.0 mL serum, frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below). (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): unacceptable
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): unacceptable
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 14 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Specimen retention time is determined by the policy of the reference laboratory. Contact the Send Outs Laboratory with any questions.

Laboratory

Sent to Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester, MN.

Performed

Monday – Friday
Results available in 2-4 days.

Reference Range

By report.

Test Methodology

Automated Liposome Lysis Assay

Interpretation

C8 is a component of the terminal complement pathway (C5-C9). Terminal pathway deficiencies are among the most common genetic deficiencies of complement, occurring in 1 in 10,000 Caucasians and Japanese people. Neisserial infections are the most common clinical events in individuals with terminal pathway deficiencies, whereas immune complex disease and SLE-like disease are uncommon. In studies by Ross and Densen and Gigueroa and Densen, C8 deficiency accounted for 16% of all genetic complement deficiencies.

Clinical Utility

This assay is used to assess patients with hereditary deficiency or decreases associated with immunologic diseases. Prior to requesting this assay it is advisable to have requested a functional screen (i.e., CH50 or APCH50). If results are normal, a genetic deficiency of C8 complement is virtually excluded.

CPT Codes

86161

Contacts

Last Updated

11/2/2023