Leukogram and Immuno-diagnostics

Question 1

What can we measure components within the immune response to?

Answer 1

• Diagnose diseases
• Aid in narrowing down the options
• Determine immunity of individuals

These are key applications of measuring immune response components.

Question 2

What is a leukogram?

Answer 2

An examination of leukocyte concentrations

Units are measured in cells per ul, and also include % lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, neutrophils.

Question 3

What does a leukogram measure?

Answer 3

• Platelets
• RBC
• WBC

It is part of a complete blood cell count (CBC).

Question 4

What does increased neutrophils indicate?

Answer 4

Neutrophilia, an inflammation indicator

It signifies that increased amounts of neutrophils are released from the bone marrow to protect from potential infection.

Question 5

What does decreased neutrophils indicate?

Answer 5

Neutropenia

This can occur when neutrophils move out of the blood into the site of inflammation.

Question 6

What are two causes of neutropenia?

Answer 6

• Excitement response (fight/flight)
• Stress response

Both affect the number of circulating mature neutrophils.

Question 7

What is referred to as ‘NO LEFT SHIFT’?

Answer 7

When excitement or stress does not affect the number of circulating mature neutrophils, but not immature neutrophils

This indicates that the immature neutrophils are not increased.

Question 8

What are the two types of neutrophils?

Answer 8

• Band neutrophil (immature)
• Segmented nucleus (mature)

Band neutrophils have a horseshoe-shaped nucleus.

Question 9

What does a left shift in neutrophils indicate?

Answer 9

An increased concentration of immature neutrophils in blood

This is indicative of inflammation and the use of stored mature neutrophils.

Question 10

What does ELISA stand for?

Answer 10

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

ELISAs can detect either pathogen antigens or specific antibodies against those antigens.

Question 11

What types of antigens can ELISAs detect?

Answer 11

• Bacterial antigens
• Viral antigens
• Parasite antigens

ELISAs can also be used to detect antibodies against these antigens.

Question 12

What is the purpose of the immunosorbent in an ELISA?

Answer 12

To use specific antibodies in the test to detect either pathogen antigens or anti-pathogen antibodies

This specificity is crucial for accurate results.

Question 13

What is the role of the enzyme linked in ELISA?

Answer 13

One of the antibodies used in the test is covalently linked to an enzyme that creates color

This allows for the quantification of the reaction based on color intensity.

Question 14

What are the two types of ELISA mentioned?

Answer 14

• Indirect AbELISA
• Sandwich AgELISA

Indirect detects antibodies, while Sandwich detects pathogen antigens.

Question 15

What is a challenge with interpreting data for AbELISAs?

Answer 15

Issues with current vs previous infection

Other challenges include differentiating vaccinated versus infected individuals.

Question 16

What is a challenge with interpreting data for AgELISAs?

Answer 16

Issues with the location of infection

This makes it hard to sample, which is why AbELISAs are often more popular.

Question 17

What is a common reason for the popularity of AbELISAs?

Answer 17

Timing in catching the pathogen during high levels

This is one reason why AbELISAs are more common than AgELISAs.