Index >> Serology >> Complement Fixation Test

Complement Fixation Test - Complement fixation test was developed by Jules Bordet Octave Gengou in 1907. It was later adopted for syphilis by August von Wassermann in 1906 and for about 75 years it was a mainstay for syphilis diagnosis. These days, technologists use it for detection of antibodies against a variety of viruses, bacteria and fungi.

The test is done in two parts: (i) the test system,which utilises the patients serum, a preparation of antigen and complement derived from guinea pigs (ii) the indicator system, requires sheep red blood cells and haemolysin (antibodies against sheep red blood cells). Haemolysins cause lysis of red blood cells in the presence of complement.