Part 8: Serology

Question 1

What is serology?

Answer 1

The use of serum antibodies to detect and measure antigens, or conversely the use of antigens to detect serum antibodies

Question 2

What is immunodiagnosis

Answer 2

Detection of antibodies (or antigens) can help provide definitive diagnosis

Question 3

The amount of antibody in the blood is the

Answer 3

Titer

Note: as infection progresses more antibodies are formed and the amount of antibodies in the blood increases.

Question 4

In terms of titer, what is characteristic of active infection?

Answer 4

A rise/increase in titer

Question 5

What is serotype?

Answer 5

A strain that has a characteristic antigenic structure that differs from other strains

Question 6

Serotype determination is critical for

Answer 6

Tracking transmission and emergence of infections

Question 7

What serological testing uses two antibodies, one specific to antigen and one coupled to enzyme?

Answer 7

ELISA (Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay)

Note: If antibody antigen binding occurs, the enzyme on the second antibody reacts with substrate to create color change

Question 8

The interaction between antibody and antigen results in cross-linking and lattice formation. What is this form of serological testing called?

Answer 8

Agglutination

Question 9

The interaction between antibody and a soluble antigen in aqueous solution forms a lattice that develops into a visible precipitate. What is this form of serological testing called?

Answer 9

Precipitation

Question 10

Immune precipitates can form not only in solution, but also in agar. As antibody and antigen diffuse toward one another, a visible line will form. What is this form of serological testing called?

Answer 10

Immunodiffusion

Question 11

The oldest kind of serological testing is complement fixation whereby IF an antibody antigen complex is present, the antibody will

Answer 11

Bind complement and no lysis will occur.

Question 12

The serological test whereby swelling of the capsule surrounding microorganism after reaction with an antibody is called

Answer 12

Capsular swelling

Note: basis for certain tests for identifying microorganisms

Question 13

In serological testing, the test whereby specific antibodies (antitoxins) present will neutralize effect of toxin

Answer 13

Neutralization tests

Question 14

Serological testing whereby fluorescent dyes can be attached to known specific antibodies which are then used to detect the presence of an antigen in serum

Answer 14

Immunofluorescence

Question 15

Serological testing whereby movement of an antigen mixture in an agarose bell that allows the separation of different proteins along the gel based on size and charge

Answer 15

Immunoelectrophoresis

Question 16

What are 2 In Vivo tests?

Answer 16

1. Schick test

2. Tuberculin Skin Tests

Question 17

Intracutaneous skin test that enables us to distinguish between individuals who are susceptible and those who are resistance to diphtheria toxin

Answer 17

Schick test

Question 18

An in vivo, cell mediated response — people who have been exposed to Tb will develop and immune response, causing slight swelling at injection site

Answer 18

Tuberculin Skin Test