Questions and Answers
What is the study of the reactions of a host when foreign substances are introduced into the body?
Immunology
What is the term for a foreign substance that induces an immune response?
Antigen
What is the term for a process by which a host organism protects itself from attacks by external and internal agents?
Immunity
What is the term for a vasoactive amine released from mast cells and basophils during an allergic reaction?
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What is the term for a low molecular weight substance that can bind to an antibody once it’s formed?
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What type of immunity is the ability of an individual to resist infections by means of normally present body functions?
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What is the primary characteristic that distinguishes adaptive immunity from innate immunity?
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Which type of immunity involves the production of antibodies by the host?
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What is the purpose of the serology section in a laboratory?
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Why are serum separator tubes not used in certain serological tests?
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What is the difference between natural active immunity and artificial active immunity?
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What is the primary difference between active and passive immunity?
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What does the presence of antinuclear antibody (ANA) indicate?
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Which test is used to confirm syphilis?
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What does C-reactive protein (CRP) indicate when levels are increased?
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Which test is used to screen for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)?
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What does the presence of Rheumatoid factor (RF) indicate?
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What does the presence of Hepatitis B surface antigen indicate?
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Study Notes
Serology and Immunology
- Serology is the study of non-cellular portion of the blood, known as serum, and tests in this section detect the presence of antibodies to bacteria, fungi, parasites, viruses, and autoimmune disorders.
Bacterial Studies
- Antinuclear antibody (ANA) detects autoimmune disorders such as systematic lupus erythematosus
- Antistreptolysin O (ASO) titer indicates streptococcal infection
- Cold agglutinins checks cases of atypical pneumonia
- Febrile agglutinins shows presence of antibodies to specific organisms
- FTA-ABS confirms syphilis
- Rapid plasma reagin (RPR) indicates syphilis, but needs confirmation
- Rheumatoid factor (RF) indicates rheumatoid arthritis
Viral Studies
- Anti-HIV screens for Human immunodeficiency virus
- Cytomegalovirus antibody (CMV) is a confirmation test
- Epstein-Barr Virus checks for presence of heterophil antibody which indicates infectious mononucleosis
- Hepatitis B surface antigen checks for presence of hepatitis antigen in the surface of red cells
General Studies
- C-reactive protein (CRP) indicates inflammation when levels are increased
- Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) tests are present when the patient is pregnant
Immunology
- The study of the reactions of a host when foreign substances are introduced into the body
- A foreign substance that induces an immune response is called an antigen
- Immunology as a science has its roots in the study of immunity, the condition of being resistant to infection
Terminologies
- Antigen (Ag): foreign substance that stimulates antibody production
- Antibody (Ab): immunoglobulin produced by plasma cells in response to antigen
- Histamine: vasoactive amine released from mast cells & basophils during allergic reaction
- Hapten: low molecular weight substance that can bind to antibody once it’s formed
- Immunogen: any substance capable of inducing immune response
Types of Immunity
- Innate/Natural/Non-adaptive/Non-specific immunity: ability of an individual to resist infections by means of normally present body functions
- Acquired/Adaptive/Specific immunity: host response to foreign agents that depends on T and B lymphocytes and is characterized by specificity, memory, and recognition of self versus non-self
Sample Collection and Handling
- Blood for serological testing is collected in tubes with red stoppers
- Serum separator tubes are not used when the gel will interfere with the antigen-antibody reactions
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