| toxoplasma antibody titre | A test which measures the presence of antibodies against Toxoplasma in the blood. This test is used to detect congenital or postnatal toxoplasmosis or to screen pregnant women for the presence of Toxoplasma antibodies. The presence of antibodies before pregnancy probably protects the foetus against congenital toxoplasmosis. Antibodies against Toxoplasma that are developed during pregnancy may indicate a congenital infection (increased risk of birth defects and spontaneous abortion). (27 Sep 1997) |
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| treponema-immobilizing antibody | Antibody, evoked during syphilitic infections, possessing specific affinity for Treponema pallidum, and which in the presence of complement immobilises the organism. Synonym: immobilizing antibody, treponemal antibody. (05 Mar 2000) |
| treponemal antibody | Antibody, evoked during syphilitic infections, possessing specific affinity for Treponema pallidum, and which in the presence of complement immobilises the organism. Synonym: immobilizing antibody, treponemal antibody. (05 Mar 2000) |
| univalent antibody | An "incomplete" form of antibody that may coat antigen, but which according to the "lattice theory" does not have a second receptor for attachment to another molecule of antigen; in the case of Rh+ erythrocytes, such an anti-Rh antibody may coat the cells but not cause them to agglutinate in saline; however, agglutination does occur when such coated cells are suspended in serum or other protein media, such as albumin, therefore called serum agglutinin. Synonym: incomplete antibody, inhibiting antibody. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fluorescein-conjugated antibody | Refers to an antibody that has joined with a fluorescein molecule. (09 Oct 1997) |
| Forssman antibody | A heterogenetic antibody specific for the Forssman group of heterogenetic antigens. Synonym: heterophil antibody, heterophile antibody. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Forssman antigen-antibody reaction | The combination of Forssman antibody with heterogenetic antigen of the Forssman type, as in the agglutination of sheep erythrocytes (which contain Forssman antigen) by serum from a person with infectious mononucleosis which contains Forssman antibody. Synonym: Forssman reaction. (05 Mar 2000) |
| lyme disease antibody | A blood test which measures for the presence of Lyme disease antibodies. A nonreactive or serum titre of less than 1:256 is normal. A rising titre over time is more diagnostic. False positives due occur in those with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. (27 Sep 1997) |