| tuberculin test | <investigation> A test for previous infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. (09 Oct 1997) |
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| tuberculin skin test | See: Mantoux test, Heaf test, tuberculin tine test (18 Nov 1997) |
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| tuberculin tine test | <investigation> In this test a small amount of tuberculosis antigen in injected into the skin (dermis). The skin is inspected later to see if a positive skin reaction has occurred. The presence of inflammation indicates that your body has been exposed to tuberculosis antigen at some point in your life. A chest X-ray will be taken to look for signs of TB if your tine test is positive. (27 Sep 1997) |
| purified protein derivative of tuberculin | Purified tuberculin containing the active protein fraction; the tuberculin from which it is prepared differs from tuberculin chiefly in that the bacteria are grown in a synthetic rather than in a broth medium. (05 Mar 2000) |
| tuberculin | <protein> A protein extracted from the tuberculosis bacteriumMycobacterium tuberculosis. It is used in tests to determine if aperson has been exposed to the bacteria and is in danger of coming down with the disease. (09 Oct 1997) |
| tuberculin-type hypersensitivity | A local or generalised response that begins 24 to 48 hours after exposure to an antigen. See: cell-mediated reaction. Synonym: contact hypersensitivity, delayed hypersensitivity, late reaction, tuberculin-type hypersensitivity. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Koch's original tuberculin | <protein> A protein extracted from the tuberculosis bacteriumMycobacterium tuberculosis. It is used in tests to determine if aperson has been exposed to the bacteria and is in danger of coming down with the disease. (09 Oct 1997) |
| Abbe test plate | <equipment> A long, wedge-shaped coverslip about 0.20 mm thick at one end and 0.10 to 0.12 mm at the other end coated chemically with a silver film on which are ruled horizontal lines. at each variation in thickness of 0.01 mm there are vertical lines. By means of oblique illumination and by focusing on different portions of the plate, it is possible to determine the optimum coverslip thickness for any objective and also, for microscopes with drawtubes, the tube length for best objective performance. The approximate freedom from spherical and chromatic aberrations can also be estimated. Small isolated bits of silver near the edges of the lines form good objects for the star test (05 Aug 1998) |
| acetone test | A test for ketonuria; the suspected urine is shaken up with a few drops of sodium nitroprusside, and strong ammonia water is then gently poured over the mixture; if acetone is present, a magenta ring forms at the line of contact; tablets containing sodium nitroprusside and alkali are now more commonly used. (05 Mar 2000) |
| achievement test | A standardised test used to measure acquired learning, e.g., competence in a specific subject area such as reading or arithmetic, in contrast to an intelligence test which is a useful index of potential ability or learning. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acidified serum test | Lysis of the patient's red cells in acidified fresh serum, specific for paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria. Synonym: Ham's test. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acid loading test | <nephrology> This is a test used in the diagnosis of renal tubular acidosis. The patient takes ammonium chloride capsules for 3 days to acidify the blood (lower blood pH). A sample of the urine and the blood is then collected and the results are interpreted. (27 Sep 1997) |
| acid perfusion test | <gastroenterology, investigation> A test used to diagnosis gastrooesophageal reflux disease. This investigation requires that the patient swallow 3 tiny tubes into the stomach. A mixture of hydrochloric acid (like stomach acid) and saline are alternatively injected into the tubes. The patient then reports any symptoms they may have. Some patients may vomit. (13 Nov 1997) |
| acid phosphatase test for semen | A screening test for semen by determining acid phosphatase content; because seminal fluid contains high concentrations of acid phosphatase, while other body fluids and extraneous foreign materials have very low concentrations, high values of acid phosphatase on vaginal aspirate or lavage, or on wash fluid from stains, render positive identification of semen, even if the male is aspermic. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acid reflux test | A test to detect gastroesophageal reflux by monitoring oesophageal pH by an electrode in the distal oesophagus either basally or after acid is instilled into the stomach. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ACTH stimulation test | A test for adrenal cortical function; ACTH administered by continuous intravenous infusion, or intramuscularly, evokes an increase in plasma cortisol in normal persons; in adrenal cortical insufficiency, the expected increase in plasma cortisol is limited or nonexistent. (05 Mar 2000) |