Description_x000D_ Application_x000D_ Complement C8 is one of the end terminals of the complement system contained in the membrane attack complex (MAC). A deficiency of C8 may result in an increased susceptibility to Neisseria meningitidis. The most common mutation resulting in a C8 deficiency is a C to T transition in exon 9 of the C8 beta gene. Recent research however, has also discovered that two separate heterogeneous mutations may result in C8 deficiency in patients displaying recurrent meningococcal meningitis. These mutations are a duplication mutation on exon 7 and a mutation on exon 3._x000D_ Biochem/physiol Actions_x000D_ Serum naturally deficient in C8 may actually contain some C8, though in greatly reduced quantity. Terminal complement complex is present at trace levels in such sera._x000D_ Physical form_x000D_ Supplied as a solution in PBS, pH 7.4_x000D_ Analysis Note_x000D_ C8 is depleted by immunoadsorption as judged by a highly sensitive hemolytic assay.