Immunology - Diagnostic Approaches 2

Question 1

Serology

Answer 1

Detecting hosts immune response

Question 2

Ways to measure serology

Answer 2

ELISA
Immunodiffusion
Virus neutralization

Question 3

What does serology measure?

Answer 3

Measurement of antigen-antibody interactions
Looks for antibodies to determine exposure/disease/immunity

Question 4

Antibody titer definition

Answer 4

The highest dilution (lowest concentration) of serum needed to detectably interact with the antigen
(Relative concentration of antibody)

Question 5

Method of antibody titers

Answer 5

Create a series of standard dilutions of the original serum samples and test against the antigen of interest
(Not all tests produce titers)

Question 6

What is detected in ELISA test?

Answer 6

Antibody based ELISA
Dilutions allow for detecting antibody titers
Second antibody can detect IgM, IgA, IgG

Question 7

Function of immunodiffusion

Answer 7

Antigen is loaded at center of gel
Test serum is loaded on periphery
Charge is added & antibodies move towards antigen & precipitate create a band

Question 8

Function of virus neutralization

Answer 8

Using antibodies in serum to inhibit virus replication

Question 9

Specific mechanisms of virus neutralization

Answer 9

Titer is inverse of highest dilution needed to neutralize
Highly specific
Slow / expensive - inhibits virus growth in cell culture