| cross agglutination | Agglutination by antibodies specific for minor (group) antigens common to several microorganisms, each of which possesses its own major specific antigen. Synonym: cross agglutination. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| sperm agglutination | Agglutination of spermatozoa. (05 Mar 2000) Previous: Spens, Thomas, spent, speract, sperling, sperm, spermaceti, spermacytic seminomaNext: sperm agglutination, spermalist, spermaphore, spermary, sperm-astersperm agglutination Agglutination of spermatozoa by antibodies or autoantibodies. (12 Dec 1998) |
| spontaneous agglutination | The non-specific clumping of organisms in saline related to lack of polar groups in electrolyte solution. (05 Mar 2000) |
| nonimmune agglutination | <haematology> Agglutination caused by a lectin having a degree of specificity, the mechanism of which is not understood, agglutination that results from non-specific factors, as in the case of acid agglutination or spontaneous agglutination. (05 Mar 2000) |
| direct agglutination | A general term for techniques which use the agglutination (macroscopic clumping) of particulate reagents as an indicator of the presence of an antigen-antibody reaction. Examples (haemagglutination, latex agglutination and coagglutination) follow. (05 Mar 2000) |
| immune agglutination | Agglutination caused by antibody (agglutinin) that is specific for the suspended microorganism, cell, or for an antigen that has been coated on a particle of suitable size. (05 Mar 2000) |
| indirect agglutination | Agglutination of particles that have been coated with soluble antigen, by antiserum specific for the adsorbed antigen. Synonym: indirect agglutination. (05 Mar 2000) |
| false agglutination | 1. Agglomeration of particles in solution which does not involve antigen-antibody combination. Synonym: false agglutination. Synonym: rouleaux formation. (05 Mar 2000) |
| 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) |