Immunological Methods - Particle Methods

Immunochemical Methods

• When an antigen and a specific antibody come together, they form a complex through antigen-antibody interaction, which can lead to precipitation.
• The technique that involves the creation of a complex through antigen-antibody interaction followed by precipitation is known as precipitation reaction.
• The primary technique used to detect the presence of an antigen or an antibody is immunoassay.
• Fluorescence immunoassay involves the use of fluorescence to detect the location of specific antigens in a sample.
• The technique that involves the use of a label attached to either the antigen or antibody for detection is known as labelled immunoassay.
• In precipitin reaction, a precipitate is visually detected for analysis.
• The method that uses a molecule attached to either the antigen or antibody for detection is called labelled immunoassay.
• The method that commonly employs immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM) to bind specifically to antigens or haptens is called immunoassay.

Radiation Detection

• The Geiger-Müller (GM) counter is a type of detector that operates on high voltage to measure ionizing radiation by producing an avalanche of electrons.
• The Geiger-Müller (GM) counter can detect beta and gamma radiation.
• Ionizing radiation creates a small ionization current in the ionizing chamber.
• The Geiger-Müller (GM) counter is suitable for a wide range of energies and is preferred for high levels of gamma radiation detection.

Learn about basic principles of antigen and antibody interaction along with techniques like immunoprecipitation in gel, passive gel immunodiffusion, and immunoelectrophoresis. This quiz is tailored for internal teaching at the Department of Chemical Pathology, NHLS- Wits Medical School.