Reaginic antibody Health Dictionary

Reaginic Antibody: From 1 Different Sources


As used by immunologists, this term refers to IgE antibodies. As used by microbiologists, it refers to antibodies produced in syphilis – probably in response to the tissue damage caused by Treponema pallidum. Production of these antibodies in patients with syphilis has been utilised in the development of the non-treponemal serological tests for syphilis such as the VDRL Test, the RPR Test and the now superceded Wasserman Complement Fixation Test. These tests are useful in that they are only positive in active syphilis but they have many biological false positive reactions, including pregnancy.
Health Source: Dictionary of Tropical Medicine
Author: Health Dictionary

Antibody

Immunologic proteins, usually made from immunoglobulins, that are capable of binding to, and rendering inactive, foreign substances that have entered the skin envelope and have been deemed dangerous. They may be synthesized anew in the presence of a previously encountered substance (antigen); they may be present in small amounts at all times in the bloodstream; or they may be present in the tissues in a more primitive form designed to react to a broad spectrum of potential antigens. The latter may be responsible for some allergies.... antibody

Monoclonal Antibody

See antibody, monoclonal.... monoclonal antibody

Heterophil Antibody

Antibody which reacts with an antigen which has not stimulated its production (i.e. a crossreacting antibody).... heterophil antibody

Antibody, Monoclonal

An artificially produced antibody that neutralizes only one specific antigen (foreign protein).

Monoclonal antibodies are produced in a laboratory by stimulating the growth of a large number of antibody-producing cells that are genetically identical. In effect, this process enables antibodies to be tailor-made so that they will react with a particular antigen.

Monoclonal antibodies are used in the study of human cells, hormones, microorganisms, and in the development of vaccines. They are also being used in the diagnosis and treatment of some forms of cancer.... antibody, monoclonal

Antinuclear Antibody

(ANA) an autoantibody directed against nuclear membranes, found in systemic *lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune rheumatic diseases, such as *Sjögren’s syndrome, *scleroderma, and inflammatory *myositis.

The different types of ANAs are defined by their target antigen and different profiles have been correlated with clinical features.... antinuclear antibody

Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome

(APS, Hughes syndrome) an autoimmune disease in which the presence of antibodies against phospholipid (see anticardiolipin antibodies; lupus anticoagulant) is associated with a tendency to arterial or venous thrombosis and, in women of childbearing age, to recurrent miscarriage. APS may be primary or occur in association with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or other connective-tissue diseases. Treatment is by low-dose aspirin or heparin.... antiphospholipid antibody syndrome



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