Complement Fixation Test - A Classical, Standardized Method

The Complement Fixation Test (CFT) is a serological method to detect antibodies against pathogens in accordance with the KOLMER technique, World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines as well as the National Health Service (NHS, Great Britain and Northern Ireland).

Key Features

Cost-effective due to standardized reagents

Lyophilized antigens, control antigens as well as positive and negative control sera simplify the storage

Suitable screening test to identify acute infections 

Compensation of seroprevalences allow high specificity

One IgM molecule is capable of activating one C1-molecule of the complement complex whereas 168 IgG molecules are necessary to achieve the same effect, emphasizes the significance of the test for the recognition of early infections.

Positive CFT titres are often an indication for the presence of IgM antibodies or very high IgG antibody titres and are therefore an expression for an acute or recent infection, respectively. 

The CFT is especially helpful for acute respiratory infections: The, in general, strong IgG booster reaction is very well represented whereas residual titres of past infections are blanked out. The distinction between IgG and IgM antibodies is not possible.

For research use only, not for use in diagnostic procedures.

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