A quantitative method for assessing the third complement factor (C3) attached to the surface of opsonized Pseudomonas aeruginosa: interrelationship between C3 fixation, phagocytosis and complement consumption.

A direct enzyme-linked immunoassay is described for the determination of C3 that becomes attached to the surface of bacteria upon incubation in serum. The assay uses horseradish peroxidase-conjugated rabbit antiserum specific for human C3. In this study various Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were opsonized under different conditions and the amount of C3 fixed to the bacterial surface was measured directly. The extent of C3 fixation was compared with the percentage of phagocytosis by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes and with the complement consumption in the fluid phase. It was demonstrated that C3 fixation closely correlated with the percentage of phagocytosis but not with complement consumption. The method can be performed with relatively simple equipment and could be used in routine laboratories in order to determine the extent of opsonization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other bacteria and to detect opsonic defects in the sera of patients.