| serum cholinesterase | <enzyme> A test which measures acetylcholinesterase and pseudocholinesterase, two enzymes which normally breakdown acetylcholine. Acetylcholinesterase is found in nerve tissue while pseudocholinesterase is found primarily in the liver. This test may be performed as a screening tool prior to the administration of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). It is also useful in identifying organophosphate toxicity or congenital enzyme deficiencies. (27 Sep 1997) |
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| serum disease | A hypersensitivity response (type III) to the injection of large amounts of antigen, as might happen when large amounts of antiserum are given in a passive immunisation. The effects are caused by the presence of soluble immune complexes in the tissues. (18 Nov 1997) |
| serum erythropoietin | <protein> Erythropoietin is a protein hormone which is produced by specialised cells in the kidneys. These cells are sensitive to low arterial oxygen concentration and will release erythropoietin when oxygen is low. Erythropoietin stimulates the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells (to increase the oxygen caring capacity of the blood). The measurement of this hormone in the bloodstream can indicate bone marrow disorders or kidney disease. Normal levels of erythropoietin are 0 to 19 mU/ml (milliunits per millilitre). Elevated levels can be seen in polycythaemia vera. Lower than normal values are seen in chronic renal failure. (27 Sep 1997) |
| serum factor VIII antigen | A test used to measure the activity of a blood clotting factor VIII (Von Willebrand factor). This test is usually used to monitor treatment of haemophilia. Abnormally low factor VIII assays may be seen in the following conditions: congenital deficiency of factor VIII (haemophilia), DIC and secondary fibrinolysis. This test may also be performed in the evaluation of Von Willebrand's disease. (27 Sep 1997) |
| serum-fast | 1. Pertaining to a serum in which there is little or no change in the titre of antibody, even under conditions of treatment or immunologic stimulation. 2. Resistant to the destructive effect of sera. Synonym: serofast. (05 Mar 2000) |
| serum ferritin | <protein> A test that measures the amount of ferritin, a major iron storage protein. This test reflects the amount of iron stored in the body. Higher than normal values can be seen in haemochromatosis. Normal values for males: 12 to 300 ng/ml, females: 10 to 150 ng/ml. (27 Sep 1997) |
| serum globulins | All blood proteins except albumin ( = serum albumin, which is not a globulin) and fibrinogen (which is not in the serum). The serum globulins are subdivided into alpha-globulins, beta-globulins, and gamma-globulins on the basis of their electrophoretic mobilities. (12 Dec 1998) |
| serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase | <enzyme> An enzyme present in hepatocytes (liver cells) and heart cells. SGOT is released into the blood in larger quantities in cases where the heart or liver becomes damaged. Increased levels are usually associated with heart attacks or liver disease. Some medications can also raise blood SGOT levels. Another name for this test is the aspartate aminotransferase or AST. (27 Sep 1997) |
| serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase | <enzyme> An enzyme catalyzing the reversible transfer of an amine group from l-glutamic acid to oxaloacetic acid, forming alpha-ketoglutaric acid and l-aspartic acid; a diagnostic aid in viral hepatitis and in myocardial infarctions. Synonym: aspartate transaminase, glutamic-aspartic transaminase, glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase. (05 Mar 2000) |
| serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase | <enzyme> An enzyme that is found primarily in the liver. It is released into the bloodstream as the result of liver damage. Also called the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT). (27 Sep 1997) |
| serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase | <enzyme> An enzyme that is found primarily in the liver. It is released into the bloodstream as the result of liver damage. Also called the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT). (27 Sep 1997) |
| serum hepatitis | <virology> A form of viral hepatitis, known as serum hepatitis, because it is commonly spread through contact with infected blood products (transfusion). May also be spread sexually or from mother to infant. Hepatitis B can cause a much more severe infection than hepatitis A and can occur as an asymptomatic carrier state, a chronic infection or as cirrhosis of the liver. Those at risk (IV drug abusers, health care workers, dialysis patients, transfusion recipients, homosexuals) should be immunised with hepatitis B vaccine. The virus is 42nm diameter, with an outer sheath enclosing inner 27nm core particle containing the circular viral DNA. Aggregates of the envelope proteins are found in plasma and are referred to as hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg, previously called Australia antigen). The virus can persist for long periods (and in asymptomatic carriers), association of integrated virus with hepatocellular carcinoma is now well established. (27 Sep 1997) |
| serum hepatitis virus | The type species of the genus orthohepadnavirus which causes human hepatitis b and is also apparently a causal agent in human hepatocellular carcinoma. The dane particle is an intact hepatitis virion, named after its discoverer. Non-infectious spherical and tubular particles are also seen in the serum. (12 Dec 1998) |
| serum immunofixation | A special laboratory technique that is used to identify specific proteins in the blood or urine. It has greatest application in the identification (and monitoring) of monoclonal proteins that are produced in conditions like Waldenstom's macroglobulinaemia and multiple myeloma. (27 Sep 1997) |
| serum immunoglobulin electrophoresis | A test that detects and measures the various immunoglobulins in the blood. In the normal assay no monoclonal antibodies are detected. In multiple myeloma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia a single clone of lymphocytes can produce one type of immunoglobulin that is detected in the electrophoresis as monoclonal (made by one cell clone). (27 Sep 1997) |