Serology - a section of immunology, studying the reaction of serum antibodies to antigens.
Serology - a method of studying certain antibodies or antigens in the blood serum of patients.They are based on the responses of the immune system.These studies are widely used in diagnosis of various infectious diseases and determining the human blood groups.
Who appointed serology
Serological analysis is assigned to patients suspected of any infectious disease.This analysis controversial situations will help to establish the diagnosis of the causative agent.Also on the results of serological tests it depends largely on further treatment, since the definition of a particular microorganism contributes to the appointment of a specific treatment.
What material is investigated
Serology involve sampling of biological material from a patient in the form of:
- serum;
- saliva;
- fecal matter.
material as soon as possible should be in the lab.Otherwise it can be stored in a refrigerator at 4 or adding a preservative.
Conducting analyzes
fence to the fence of these analyzes specifically to prepare the patient is not necessary.Safety studies.The fence of a blood test is done in the morning on an empty stomach as from the cubital vein and from the ring finger.After blood collection should be placed in a sterile, sealed vial.
serology blood
Human blood performs many functions in the body and has a very broad field, so blood tests and options as there are many.One of them is blood and serologic tests.This baseline analysis conducted for the purpose of recognition of certain bacteria, viruses, and infections, as well as the stage of development of the infectious process.Used serology blood:
- determine the amount of antibodies against viruses and germs are in the body.For this purpose, serum disease agent antigen is added, after which the chemical reaction occurring is estimated;
- determining an antigen in blood by administering antibodies;
- determining blood groups.
Serological blood tests are always assigned twice - to determine the dynamics of the disease.A single definition of the interaction of antigens and antibodies only indicates the fact of infection.To reflect the full picture of where you can observe an increase in the number of connections between antigens and immunoglobulins, you must re-study.
Serological studies: analysis and decoding
Increasing the amount of antigen-antibody complexes in the body indicates the presence of infection in the body of the patient.Carrying out specific chemical reactions with the growth of these indicators in the blood contribute to the definition of the disease and its stage.
If the test result indicates the absence of antibodies to pathogens, it indicates the absence of infection of the body.However, this is rarely the case, because the purpose of serological analysis already shows the detection of symptoms of the particular disease.
which could affect the result of the analysis
should closely monitor the conditions in which blood sampling is done.Do not allow contact with the blood of something extraneous.The day before, the analysis should not overload the body of fatty foods, alcohol and sugary drinks.It should eliminate stress and reduce physical exertion.Biological material should get into the laboratory as soon as possible, as long-term storage of serum leads to partial inactivity antibodies.
Serological
research methods in the laboratory serology blood is in addition to bacteriological examination.The main methods are presented:
1. The reaction of the fluorescence, which is carried out in two stages.First detected in circulating antibody-antigen complex.Then the sample is applied to the control antiserum followed by incubation with drugs.RIF is used for the rapid detection of the causative agent in the material.The results of the reactions are measured by using a fluorescence microscope.To evaluate the nature of light, shape, size objects.
2. agglutination, which is a simple reaction bonding of discrete antigens using antibodies.Allocate:
- direct reaction is used to detect antibodies in the blood serum of the patient.A certain number of killed microbial is added to serum and causes the formation of sludge in the form of flakes.Serological studies on typhoid mean holding it direct agglutination test;
- gemagglyutonatsii passive reaction based on the ability of erythrocytes to adsorb the antigen on their surfaces and to cause adhesion when in contact with the antibody, and loss of visible precipitate.It is used in the diagnosis of infectious diseases to identify hypersensitivity to certain drugs.In evaluating the results takes into account the appearance of the sediment.The precipitates in the form of a ring on the bottom of the tube indicates a negative reaction.Lacy precipitate with jagged edges indicates the presence of a particular infection.
3. immunosorbent assay, which is based on the principle of joining enzyme label antibodies.This allows you to see the result of the reaction by the appearance of enzymatic activity or change its level.This method of study has a number of advantages:
- is very sensitive;
- reagents used - are universal, and they are stable for six months;
- it is taking into account the results of the analysis process is automated.
above listed methods of serological studies have several advantages over bacteriological method.These methods allow us to determine the antigens of pathogens within a few minutes or hours.Moreover, these studies can detect antigens of the pathogen even after treatment and death of the bacteria causing it.
diagnostic value of
results of serological tests are a valuable diagnostic method, but have a supporting value.The basis for the diagnosis still remains clinical data.Serologic studies are done to confirm the diagnosis, if the reaction is not inconsistent with the clinical picture.Weakly positive serological reaction without confirming its clinical picture can not be the basis for diagnosis.These results should be considered when the patient has a history of similar disease, and he took a course of appropriate treatment.
Determination of hereditary traits of blood, confirmation or refutation of paternity, the study of hereditary and autoimmune diseases, setting the nature and source of infection during epidemics - all these help to identify serological blood tests.Explanation of results provides information on the presence of specific proteins to infections such as syphilis, hepatitis, HIV, toxoplasmosis, rubella, measles, typhoid fever.
