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The role of complement testing in dermatology
Author(s) -
Jamal S.,
Jolles S.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
clinical and experimental dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.587
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1365-2230
pISSN - 0307-6938
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2230.2005.01784.x
Subject(s) - complement (music) , medicine , relevance (law) , immunology , intensive care medicine , biology , genetics , complementation , gene , political science , law , phenotype
Summary An up‐to‐date knowledge of the molecular events involved in the activation and control of the complement cascade is essential to understand the pathogenesis of a number of conditions presenting to dermatologists. This knowledge underpins the pathogenesis of these conditions but allows the clinician to request the most useful tests in terms of diagnosis and monitoring. In this review we aim to discuss complement biology, the diseases in which complement testing is of particular relevance, the types of laboratory tests available, their utility and interpretation. Additionally it is of critical importance for clinicians not only to choose the most appropriate tests but also to choose to send these to an appropriately accredited laboratory.