Chapter 13: Species Identification

antihuman antibody

An _______ that is used in the identification of human samples can be made by introducing human serum into a host animal, which then produces specific antibodies against the human serum proteins.

Albumin

A protein that plays important roles in the maintenance of the vascular circulating fluid and the transportation of various substances such as nutrients, hormones, and metabolic products.

Hemoglobin

An oxygen-transport protein that is found in erythrocytes.

Purified Hemoglobin

Can be used to generate monoclonal and polyclonal antihuman Hb antibodies.

Titration of Antibodies

An extreme excess of antigen or antibody concentrations can inhibit secondary reactions.

Quality-control procedures

can be used to estimate the amount of a specific antibody that is present, often via titration.

antiserum

To titrate an _______, a series of dilutions are made and each dilution is then tested for activity using precipitation or agglutination methods.

Titer

The reciprocal of the highest dilution giving a positive reaction.

Stronger inhibition

is usually observed for ions with large ionic radii and small radii of hydration.

buffer system

A proper _______ must be selected in serological assays to ensure reliable results.

Immunochromatographic Assays

These are rapid, specific, and sensitive and can be used in both laboratory and field tests for species identification.

Hexagon OBTI and ABAcard HemaTrace®

can utilize the antibody–antigen–antibody sandwich method by using antibodies that recognize human Hb.

RSID™-Blood

use antibodies that recognize human GPA.

Ring Assay

An antihuman antibody reagent is placed at the bottom of a test tube and a blood-stain extract is placed on top of the bottom layer.

Ouchterlony Assay

In a positive reaction, a line of precipitate will form between each antigen well and antibody well. This assay can also determine the similarity of the antigens.

Identity

A phenomenon wherein two antigens are identical, the two lines will become fused.

Nonidentity

A phenomenon wherein two antigens are totally unrelated, the lines will cross each other but not fuse.

Partial Identity

A phenomenon wherein the two antigens are related but are not identical, the lines will merge with spur formation.

Crossed-Over Electrophoresis

This method is a combination of immunodiffusion and electrophoresis.