In Serology department, the equipment which is commonly used in all of the tests is the timer.
There are some tests which will be performed on a background card placed on the rotater while the other tests are performed using the reagent containing test kits.
The rotater in 100 revs/min with 4 types of background cards and timer on top of it.
Background card.
* VDRL test uses a white background while ASOT and ANF test use dark background*
*Monospot test uses transparent background*
About the Tests:
ASOT (Antistreptolysin O (ASO) titer)
It is a blood test which used to determine whether the patient has been infected by the Streptococcus bacteria. The test is performed by measuring the antibodies (Antistreptolysin O) against the exotoxin (known as "Streptolysin O") which is produced by the group A Streptococcus bacteria.
Procedure:
- 1 drop of sample and 1 drop of reagent are mixed evenly on a dark background card.
- Placed the card on the rotator and wait for 3 minutes.
Positive result will shown in agglutination of the sample with the reagent.
ANF Anti-nuclear factor
Also known as ANA (Antinuclear antibody) test , is used to evaluate whether a patient is having any autoimmune disorder.
ANA are a group of autoantibodies which produced by a person's immune system when it is unable to differentiate between own cells and external antigen.
Both ANF and ASOT tests are usually carry out when the patient is having joint pain/arthritis.
Procedure:
- 1 drop of sample and 1 drop of reagent are mixed evenly on a dark background card.
- Placed the card on the rotater and wait for 3 minutes.
Positive result will shown in agglutination of the sample with the reagent.
VDRL (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory)
Or known as RPR (Rapid Plasma Reagin) test, is a serological screening test that use RPR Carbon antigen for the qualitative and semi-quantitative detection of syphilis in patient's serum or plasma.
This VDRL antigen test is a non-Treponemal test which means that the antibodies detected in the patient's sample are not specific to the Treponema pallidium. Therefore, when the test shown positive result, the doctor might ask us to do further testing on that sample with TPHA test which is more specific.
Treponema pallidium is a spirochaete microorganism that cause the venereal disease, Syphilis.
The VDRL test is functioned by measuring the antibodies which is produced in response to the lipoidal material released from damaged host cells and lipoprotein like substance that released by the bacteria.
In addition to screening, the RPR test can also be used to monitor the treatment of syphilis. In this case, the level(titer) of the antibodies presented will measured through dilution.
*Titer: A unit of measurement in the clinical laboratory, which is the lowest dilution of a substance for the particular reaction to take place. *
Procedure:
- Place one drop (50μl) of the patient's sample on the white test card and allow one drop of the VDRL Carbon Particle Antigen to fall on it.
- Spread the solution on the RPR test card to cover the test circle.
- Rotate the test card for 8 minutes at 100 revolution/minutes.
Interpretation of result:
Positive result will shown in agglutination of the sample with the reagent.
Monospot / Mononucleuosis test /Mono test
This test is used to determine whether the patient has infectious mononucleosis.
- use transparent test card
Various test devices:
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