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Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of counter immunoelectrophoresis (CIE)?
What is the primary purpose of counter immunoelectrophoresis (CIE)?
What role does the electric field play in the CIE technique?
What role does the electric field play in the CIE technique?
In a counter immunoelectrophoresis test, where do antigens migrate?
In a counter immunoelectrophoresis test, where do antigens migrate?
What does a precipitin line between the antigen and antibody wells indicate?
What does a precipitin line between the antigen and antibody wells indicate?
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What is one advantage of the CIE method over double immunodiffusion?
What is one advantage of the CIE method over double immunodiffusion?
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What limitation is associated with counter immunoelectrophoresis?
What limitation is associated with counter immunoelectrophoresis?
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Which of the following specimens can be tested using the CIE method?
Which of the following specimens can be tested using the CIE method?
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What indicates the absence of reaction in a CIE test?
What indicates the absence of reaction in a CIE test?
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Which infectious diseases can CIE be used to diagnose?
Which infectious diseases can CIE be used to diagnose?
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What is a characteristic of CIE results when multiple precipitin lines are present?
What is a characteristic of CIE results when multiple precipitin lines are present?
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Study Notes
Counter Immunoelectrophoresis (CIE)
- CIE is a laboratory technique used to detect the binding of an antibody to its specific antigen.
- An electric field speeds up the migration of antigens and antibodies in a gel medium (usually agar).
- Antibodies and antigens rapidly migrate towards each other, forming a line of precipitation.
Principle of CIE
- Positively charged antigens migrate towards the negatively charged anode.
- Negatively charged antibodies migrate towards the positively charged cathode.
- The test is performed on a glass slide/plate with agarose gel.
- Two wells are punched out: one filled with antigen and the other with antibody.
- An electric current is passed through the gel, facilitating antigen and antibody migration.
- A visible line of precipitation (precipitin arc or lines) appears within 30-60 minutes, indicating a positive reaction.
Interpretation of Results
- A precipitin line between antigen and antisera wells indicates a positive reaction (specificity) - meaning a specific antibody for antigen is present in the sample.
- The absence of a precipitin line indicates no reaction or the absence of a specific antibody.
- Multiple precipitin lines suggest antibody heterogeneity for the antigen.
Advantages of CIE
- Faster and more sensitive than double immunodiffusion (takes approximately 30 minutes).
Limitations of CIE
- More expensive than agglutination-based tests.
- Potentially lower sensitivity, speed, and simplicity compared to latex agglutination tests.
- Requires larger quantities of antigen (Ag) and antibody (Ab).
Uses of CIE
- Detects both antigens and antibodies in serum, cerebrospinal fluid, and other body fluids.
- Used in diagnosing various infectious diseases (bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic).
- Commonly used to detect Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), fetoprotein, hydatid and amoebic antigens in serum.
- Rapidly and sensitively detects pneumococcal capsular antigens in sputum.
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Description
This quiz covers the principles and techniques of Counter Immunoelectrophoresis (CIE), a method used to detect antibody-antigen interactions. It examines the migration of antigens and antibodies in an electric field, as well as the interpretation of precipitation results. Test your understanding of the process and its applications in laboratory settings.
