Serology & Immunology (LAB NINE)

4 Examples of Humoral Immunity Tests

* ELISA - Enzyme Linked Immunosrobent Assay
* Latex Agglutination
* Immunodiffusion
* Rapid Immunomigration

List an Example of a Cell Mediated Immunity Test.

Tuberculin Skin Test

List another uncategorized test.

PCR - Polymerase Chain Reaction

How does an ELISA test work?

Binds antigen / antibody complexes together, amplifying the connection and exhibiting results via a color change

What kind of ELISA tests are available? (7)

* Lyme Disease
* Leptospirosis
* Heart worm Disease
* FeLV / FIV
* Pancreatitis
* Giardia
* Parvovirus

What is the most common test that uses the Latex Agglutination Technique?

Blood Typing Cards

When doing a blood typing card, what will happen if the blood has antibodies to the antigen present?

Agglutination or clumping will occur

What does rapid Immunomigration tests use?

Colloidal gold to provide a color change and results

Where are Immunodiffusion tests completed?

Laboratories

What do Immunodiffusion tests require?

Specialized equipment such as an agar plate and electrical current

What is tuberculin skin testing used for?

Gold standard of identification of Myobacterium Boris

* causative agent of Bovine Tuberculosis

What indicates a positive tuberculin skin test?

When the bovine site reaction exceeds the avian site reaction by more than 4mm

What is a PCR test used for?

Used to find small amounts of genetic material in a sample

How is a PCR test different than all of the other tests?

Does not require the pathogen to be alive and does not require the patient to have an antibody reaction to the pathogen

How do PCR test work?

Process of amplification

* genetic material is copied enough until is can be detected

Do dogs have antibodies or antigens? What does this mean for them?

Dogs have antigens not antibodies present in their plasma.

* will not react to own blood
* Will not react to the same blood of another animal during a transfusion
* After ONE transfusion of another blood type, they will not react

Do cats have antibodies or antigens in their blood? What does this mean?

Cats have antibodies

* will react when exposed to another type of blood
* Should be typed prior to a transfusion
* Have a higher incidence of reaction when given blood that isn’t theirs

How is the “type” of blood determined?

Determined by antigens present on the membrane of the erythrocyte

What is the gold standard for blood transfusions?

All animals should be typed and cross matched prior to a transfusion

Why do some practices not blood type dogs prior to a transfusion?

If the patient is only expected to have one transfusion AND that the animal has no transfusion record

What does DEA stand for?

Dog Erythrocyte Antigen

How many recognized groups of DEA are there?

8

What is the most important antigen for dogs?

DEA 1

* can cause the most severe transfusion reactions

DEA 1.1+

The antigen is present on the erythrocyte membrane

* 40% of dogs can relieve either 1.1+ or 1.1-

DEA 1.1-

Antigen is NOT PRESENT on the erythrocyte membrane

* universal donors but can only receive DEA 1.1-

What is the most common blood type in cats?

Type A (90%)

Type A Feline Blood

Cats have anti B antibodies that are low in number

What blood type is more common in purebred felines?

Type B

Type B Feline Blood

Cats have anti A antibodies that are high in number

Type AB Feline Blood

Lack antibodies for A or B antigens

* universal recipient
* RARE