Changes

 

Complement fixation is a test that exploits the fact that antibody-antigen complexes are able  

Complement fixation is a test that exploits the fact that antibody-antigen complexes are able  

to activate the complement system, using the mechanism to show the presence of a specific antibody in a serum sample.  

to activate the complement system, using the mechanism to show the presence of a specific antibody in a serum sample.  

===Method===

==Method==

A mixture of antibody, complement and antigen is incubated and an indicator system (normally antibody-coated sheep red blood cells) is added.

A mixture of antibody, complement and antigen is incubated and an indicator system (normally antibody-coated sheep red blood cells) is added.

*As the complement reaction with the immune complex produces no visible result, sheep red blood cells are coated with anti-sheep red blood cell antibody. The complement in the mixture will react with this antibody and lyse the cells.

*As the complement reaction with the immune complex produces no visible result, sheep red blood cells are coated with anti-sheep red blood cell antibody. The complement in the mixture will react with this antibody and lyse the cells.

An indication of a positive test is the absence of lysis of the red blood cells, as the complement has already been used up by the antigen-antibody system. Controls are included to ensure that none of the reagents have taken up the complement non-specifically (e.g. contaminated serum)

An indication of a positive test is the absence of lysis of the red blood cells, as the complement has already been used up by the antigen-antibody system. Controls are included to ensure that none of the reagents have taken up the complement non-specifically (e.g. contaminated serum)

===Applications===

==Applications==

*'''Wasserman reaction'''- used in the diagnosis of syphilis, the test consists of a mixture of Wasserman antigen, dilutions of the patients serum and complement (normally sourced from guinea pigs).  

*'''Wasserman reaction'''- used in the diagnosis of syphilis, the test consists of a mixture of Wasserman antigen, dilutions of the patients serum and complement (normally sourced from guinea pigs).  

*Virus detection- tissue samples are innoculated with blood or tissue samples from a patient and tested using complement fixation

*Virus detection- tissue samples are innoculated with blood or tissue samples from a patient and tested using complement fixation