Week 2: Eias & Liason Flashcards
Passive Immunity
Transfer of pre-formed antibodies to an unimmunized host
Example of Naturally acquired passive immunity
passage of IgG from mom to fetus
Example of artificially acquired passive immunity
injection of anti-serum; RhoGam, Hepatitis A
Innate immunity
present at birth. Individuals ability to resist infection by normally present body functions
Examples of innate immunity
phagocytic cells, complement, lysozymes in tears
Adaptive immunity
developed after birth. Specificity to individual pathogens, ability to remember prior exposures and increases response upon repeat exposure.
Example of adaptive immunity
Antibiodies
Cell-mediated immunity
immunity dependent on the actions of T lymphocytes and macrophages/phagocytic cells
Humoral Immunity
Immunity dependent on substances in serum
Examples of humoral immunity
Antibodies and complement
Vaccine
Suspension of killed or attenuated (inactivated) infectious agents administered to establish resistance to the disease
Phases of the primary antibody response
- First exposure to antigen: cell-mediated or antibody production may be initiated/ Sometimes more than one exposure is needed
- Long lag phase where antibody production will not be detectable
- Slow increase in antibody titers
- A short plateau phase during which the antibody titer stabilizes
- A decline phase in which the antibody is catabolized
How does one diagnose a current infection?
Positive IgM or a 4-fold rise in IgG
What is the prozone phenomenon and what does it do?
Under the conditions of antibody excess, there exists a surplus of antibody binding sites that are not bound to antigenic determinants. Lattice formation is decreased because antigens only bind to one or two antibodies (no cross-linkage occurs).
How does the prozone phenomenon affect test results?
A false negative can occur
How can the prozone phenomena be overcome?
Serial-diluting the antibody-containing serum can overcome the phenomenon
Sensitivity
Frequency of positive test results in patients with a particular disease - test’s ability to detect small concentrations
Sensitivity calculation
[TP/(TP + FN)] x 100
Specificity
Frequency of negative test results in patients without disease - degree of which the antibody reaction of it antigen is unique, the ability of a test to detect analyte as opposed to non-analyte
Specificity calculation
[TN/(TN + FP)] x 100
Advantages of ELISA over RIA
Comparable sensitivity without risk of health hazards, problems with disposal, or short shelf life
Advantages of ELISA over IF/agglutination
Greater sensitivity, able to detect analytes that are small in size of low in concentration
What is a conjugate?
Antibody that binds to the analyte and is labeled with a marker that allows the amount of antibody-antigen binding to be monitored
Is ELISA used to measure antigen or antibody?
It can be used for either. It would depend on the assay design
When measuring patient antibody in a non-competitive solid-phase ELISA, how can the specific immunoglobulin class present be determined?
By using enzymes-labeled anti-immunoglobulin antibodies (AKA conjugate) that is specific for a single isotype or class of immunoglobulin.
Example of a conjugate?
IgM
Three assay performed in the SFMC immunology department that use ELISA
Toxoplasma IgM, PF4 IgG, H. pylori antigen, Giardia antigen, Cryptosporidium antigen
What are the desirable traits of an enzyme used in ELISA tests?
- High turnover
- Stability
- Ease of conjugation
- Lock of endogenous enzyme in patient sample
- Ease of detection
- Compatible with standard conditions used in ELISA
Two most popular enzymes used in ELISA test
Alkaline Phosphatase (AP) and Horseradish Peroxidase (HRP)
After completion of an ELISA test, the tech notes no color formation in any of the controls or patient tubes. What could be reasonable explanation of this?
Reagents were added out of order or omitted
How could result be affected by preparation of incorrect serum dilution?
If all calibrators, controls, and patients are diluted the same but incorrectly, all OD values will be affected similarly. Too much diluent in the tubes = all ODs would be lower than usual. Controls may or may not be in the range. We like to look at our calibrator OD values to see if they are about what they were previously
How could results be affected by expired positive control?
Positive control may be out of range (too low)
How could results be affected by conjugate and substrate added in reverse order?
No color formation in any wells