| ANA | acetylneuraminic acid; American Narcolepsy Association; American Neurological Association; American ... |
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| APA | action potential amplitude; aldosterone-producing adenoma; Ambulatory Pediatric Association; America... |
| ATA | alimentary toxic aleukia; American Thyroid Association; aminotriazole; antithymic activity; antithyr... |
| EA | early antigen; educational age; egg albumin; electric affinity; electrical activity; electroacupunct... |
| FTA | fluorescent titer antibody; fluorescent treponemal antibody |
| fluorescent antibody | Immunoglobulin molecule which as been coupled with a fluorescent molecule so that it exhibits fluorescence. (09 Oct 1997) |
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| fluorescent antibody technique | Test for tissue antigen using either a direct method, by conjugation of antibody with fluorescent dye (fluorescent antibody technique, direct) or an indirect method, by formation of antigen-antibody complex which is then labelled with fluorescein-conjugated anti-immunoglobulin antibody (fluorescent antibody technique, indirect). The tissue is then examined by fluorescence microscopy. (12 Dec 1998) |
| fluorescent antibody technique, direct | A form of fluorescent antibody technique utilizing a fluorochrome conjugated to an antibody, which is added directly to a tissue or cell suspension for the detection of a specific antigen. (12 Dec 1998) |
| fluorescent antibody technique, indirect | A form of fluorescent antibody technique commonly used to detect serum antibodies and immune complexes in tissues and microorganisms in specimens from patients with infectious diseases. The technique involves formation of an antigen-antibody complex which is labelled with fluorescein-conjugated anti-immunoglobulin antibody. (12 Dec 1998) |
| fluorescent antibody techniques | Lab techniques for locating antigens in a prepared tissue sample by using antibodies with fluorescent labels which will bind to the antigens of interest. (09 Oct 1997) |
| fluorescent antibody titre | An indirect method of measuring the concentration of an antibody in serum through the detection of fluorescent light emitted in a chemical reaction. (27 Sep 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) |
| 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) |