Patent ID: 8835119
Filing Date: 2014-09-16
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. An in vitro method of functionally determining deficiencies in the Lectin Complement Pathway in a sample of blood, serum, or plasma obtained from a mammal, the method comprising the steps of (a) adding a C1 complex inhibitor to the sample to inhibit the Classical Complement Pathway, the C1 complex inhibitor comprising: (b) diluting the sample with a buffered aqueous media having a pH and ion strength corresponding to the physiological pH and ion strength of the blood, serum, or plasma from the mammal in order to inhibit activation of the Alternative Complement Pathway in the sample; (c) adding a mannan-binding lectin (MBL) carbohydrate or ficolin binding carbohydrate to activate the Lectin Complement Pathway in the sample; (d) adding a first antibody to the sample that specifically binds C5b-9 complex to detect formation of C5b-9 complex in the sample, and (e) determining activation of the Lectin Complement Pathway in the sample at the physiological conditions by measuring the amount of C5b-9 complex detected in the sample.