C3 complement

- Sample Type

Serum or plasma

- Uses

1. Useful for assessing disease activity in SLE

2. Decreased C3 levels are associated with most active Severe recurrent bacterial infections due Absence of C3b in activator factor.

- Precautions

1. Remove serum or plasma within 45 minutes and transfer to a plastic transport tube.

2. To avoid delays in turnaround time when requesting multiple tests on frozen sample sectionsering factors.

- Interfering factors

Given this individual variability , the false positive and negative rates for C3 decline at flare was calculated for all 70 renal flares.

- Pre analytical errors

1. Unlabeled sample

2. Error in patient preparation, sample collection, transportation, and preparation for analysis and storage.

- Post analytical errors

1. Sent results to incorrect patient.

2. Delayed reporting.

- Corrective action

1. Review the report before submitting it.

2. Rejected any sample without labelling.

3. Sending the report to the correct person.