| complement fixation | <immunology> Binding of complement as a result of its interaction with immune complexes (the classical pathway) or particular surfaces (alternative pathway). (18 Nov 1997) |
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| complement-fixation reaction | <immunology> Binding of complement as a result of its interaction with immune complexes (the classical pathway) or particular surfaces (alternative pathway). (18 Nov 1997) |
| complement-fixation test | An immunological test for determining the presence of a particular antigen or antibody when one of the two is known to be present, based on the fact that complement is "fixed" in the presence of antigen and its specific antibody. See: Bordet-Gengou phenomenon. (05 Mar 2000) |
| complement fixation tests | Serologic tests based on inactivation of complement by the antigen-antibody complex (stage 1). Binding of free complement can be visualised by addition of a second antigen-antibody system such as red cells and appropriate red cell antibody (haemolysin) requiring complement for its completion (stage 2). Failure of the red cells to lyse indicates that a specific antigen-antibody reaction has taken place in stage 1. If red cells lyse, free complement is present indicating no antigen-antibody reaction occurred in stage 1. (12 Dec 1998) |
| thyrotoxic complement-fixation factor | A form of thyrotoxin; an antigen found most readily in thyroid tissue from thyrotoxic individuals; known to be chemically and immunologically distinct from thyroglobulin, and fixes complement when combined with antibody related to the gamma-globulin fraction of serum. With the exception of extremely small concentrations, the antigen is rarely found in normal glands or in diseased glands that are not associated with thyrotoxicosis; it is probably an intracellular substance (possibly a constituent of the "microsomal fraction"), and does not contain iodine in significant quantity. Not related to the complement-fixation reaction occurring with serum in Hashimoto's disease, in which the antigen is thyroglobulin. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anaemia, haemolytic, autoimmune | Acquired haemolytic anaemia due to the presence of autoantibodies which agglutinate or lyse the patient's own red cells. (12 Dec 1998) |
| autoimmune | <immunology> Pertaining to autoimmunity. (02 Jan 1998) |
| autoimmune disease | <disease> A disease process that involves the production of host antibodies to host tissue. (27 Sep 1997) |
| autoimmune diseases | Are illnesses which occur when the body tissues are attacked by its own immune system. The immune system is a complex organisation within the body that is designed normally to seek and destroy invaders of the body, particularly infections. Patients with these diseases have unusual antibodies in their blood that target their own body tissues. (12 Dec 1998) |
| autoimmune haemolytic anaemia | <haematology> A condition that results from the cellular destruction (haemolysis) of red blood cells due to antibodies formed to components on the surface of the red blood cells. Origin: Gr. Haima = blood (02 Jan 1998) |
| autoimmune hepatitis | <pathology> A type of chronic active hepatitis that results from circulating auto-antibodies and chronic inflammation of the liver. Symptoms are those of chronic active hepatitis. (27 Sep 1997) |
| autoimmune thrombocytopenia purpura | <haematology> A rare autoimmune disorder characterised by an acute shortage of platelets with resultant bruising and spontaneous bleeding. The platelet count becomes exceedingly low and spontaneous bleeding from the gums, gastrointestinal tract and nose can be seen. Physical examination may demonstrate enlargement of the spleen. A typical rash occurs to do microscopic haemorrhage of small blood vessels in the skin. Platelet counts under 10,000 can lead to spontaneous haemorrhage into the brain causing death. Treatment with corticosteroids is generally effective. Surgical removal of the spleen (splenectomy) is reserved for some patients. Anti-platelet antibodies are detectable in some cases. It may present in either an acute or a chronic form. Acronym: ITP (20 Sep 2002) |
| autoimmune thyroiditis | <endocrinology> Inflammation of the thyroid gland without the formation of pus. Noninfectious nonbacterial thyroid inflammation. (27 Sep 1997) |
| polyendocrinopathies, autoimmune | Autoimmune disease affecting multiple endocrine organs. Type I is characterised by childhood onset and mucocutaneous candidiasis, while type II exhibits any combination of adrenal insufficiency (addison's disease), lymphocytic thyroiditis, hypoparathyroidism, and gonadal failure. In both types organ-specific antibodies against a variety of endocrine glands have been detected. The type II syndrome differs from type I in that it is associated with HLA-a1 and b8 haplotypes, onset is usually in adulthood, and candidiasis is not present. (12 Dec 1998) |
| hepatitis, autoimmune | An unresolving, predominately periportal, hepatitis, usually with hypergammaglobulinaemia and serum autoantibodies. The existence of subgroups (types 1, 2, and 3) based on serological findings are controversial. Additionally, some patients have variant forms, where there are features associated with both autoimmune hepatitis and another type of chronic liver disease (overlap syndromes) or where there are findings incompatible with autoimmune hepatitis (outlier syndromes). (12 Dec 1998) |