| 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) |
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| 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) |
| fluorescent antinuclear antibody test | FANA test, a test for antinuclear antibody components; used, in particular, for the diagnosis of collagen-vascular diseases. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption test | <investigation> A sensitive and specific serologic test for syphilis. It is more specific than the VDRL assay. The patient's serum is diluted to remove non-specific antibodies and then mixed on a glass slide with Nichol's strain of Treponema pallidum. If antibodies are present in the patient's serum they bind to the antigen and the bound antibodies are detected with fluoresceinated antihuman gamma-globulin antibody. Synonym: FTA-ABS test. (12 Sep2002) |
| 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) |