Serology (ELISA,etc)

Sensitivity

Probability that the test is reactive if the specimen is a true positive (No false negatives)

Specificity

Probability that a positive test will not be reactive if a specimen is a true negative (No false positives)

Polyclonal antibodies

Antibodies to an antigen with multiple receptors types

Monoclonal antibodies

Antibodies with a single receptor type

Hybridoma

“Immortal” cancerous B cell fused with an antibody-producing normal B cell, produces monoclonal antibodies

Muromonab-CD3

For kidney transplant

Infliximab

For Crohn’s disease

Ibritumomab+rituximab

For non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Trastuzumab

Herceptin for breast cancer

Muromonab-CD3,Infliximab,Ibritumomab+rituximab,Trastuzumab

4 examples of monoclonal antibodies treatments

1) Inject antigen into rabbit 2)Antigen activates B cells 3)Plasma B cells produce polyclonal antibodies 4)Obtain antiserum from rabbit containing polyclonal antibodies

Four steps in polyclonal antibody creation

Precipitation

Antibody binds to soluble antigen, forming a visible preciptin

Flocculation

Antibody binds to insoluble molecules in suspension, forming visible aggregrates

Neutralization

Antibody binds to virus, blocking viral entry into target cells and preventing formation of plaques

Complement activation

Antibody binds to antigen, inducing complement activation and leaving no complement to lyse red blood cells

Indirect FA

Identifies antibodies to organisms