AP50 (Alternative way of complement system) Activity

General Information

Samples are sent on Tuesdays!

Blood samples can only be taken for testing at the central branch (Tsinandali 9). Monday and Tuesday!

The complement system is a part of the immune system that helps the body eliminate pathogenic microbes and develop an inflammatory response.

The alternative pathway is one of the important ways of activating the complement system. It differs from the classical pathway of activating the complement system – namely, it does not require the participation of complement components C1, C4, and C2 for activation.

The alternative pathway directly activates the C3 component of complement. Both plasma and cell membrane components participate in the activation of the alternative pathway.

The alternative pathway of complement activation provides a rapid, antibody-independent response.

Studying the alternative complement activation pathway, AP50, allows us to determine how well this part of the immune system is functioning.

The study is used to detect deficiencies in proteins and various components of the complement system.

Material for examination: Venous blood

Preparation of the patient: it is not necessary

Interpretation of results

A low AP50 level may be due to an excess of proteins involved in the complement system, or their deficiency.

Deficiency of complement component proteins may develop during chronic bacterial processes such as encapsulated or recurrent meningitis, etc.