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Diagnostic Tests: Total Complement Level (CH50)
When to Choose CH50 as the Correct Answer
The total complement level (CH50) assay is used to evaluate the functional integrity of the complement system, particularly the classical complement pathway. You should select CH50 when a patient—most often young—presents with recurrent, unexplained bacterial infections despite having otherwise normal immune function.
Typical clinical scenarios include:
An abnormal (low) CH50 indicates an inherited or acquired complement deficiency, prompting further evaluation of specific complement components.
When to Choose CH50 as the Correct Answer
The total complement level (CH50) assay is used to evaluate the functional integrity of the complement system, particularly the classical complement pathway. You should select CH50 when a patient—most often young—presents with recurrent, unexplained bacterial infections despite having otherwise normal immune function.
Typical clinical scenarios include:
- Recurrent pneumonia, meningitis, or sinusitis
- Infections caused by encapsulated organisms, especially:
- Neisseria species
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Haemophilus influenzae
- Normal lymphocyte counts
- Normal immunoglobulin levels
An abnormal (low) CH50 indicates an inherited or acquired complement deficiency, prompting further evaluation of specific complement components.
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