A latex fixation test, also called a latex agglutination assay or test (LA assay or test), is an assay used clinically in the identification and typing of many important microorganisms. These tests use the patient's antigen-antibody immune response. This response occurs when the body detects a pathogen and forms an antibody specific to an identified antigen (a protein configuration) present on the surface of the pathogen.[citation needed]
Agglutination tests, specific to a variety of pathogens, can be designed and manufactured for clinicians by coating microbeads of latex with pathogen-specific antigens or antibodies. In performing a test, laboratory clinicians will mix a patient's cerebrospinal fluid, serum or urine with the coated latex particles in serial dilutions with normal saline (important to avoid the prozone effect) and observe for agglutination (clumping). Agglutination of the beads in any of the dilutions is considered a positive result, confirming either that the patient's body has produced the pathogen-specific antibody (if the test supplied the antigen) or that the specimen contains the pathogen's antigen (if the test supplied the antibody). Instances of cross-reactivity (where the antibody sticks to another antigen besides the antigen of interest) can lead to confusing results.
Singer JM, Edberg SC, Selinger M, Amram M (1979). "Quality control of the latex-fixation test". Am. J. Clin. Pathol. 72 (4): 591–6. doi:10.1093/ajcp/72.4.591. PMID 495562.
Description of the test
April 17, 2024
latex, fixation, test, this, article, includes, list, general, references, lacks, sufficient, corresponding, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, citations, march, 2015, learn, when, remove, this, template, messa. This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations March 2015 Learn how and when to remove this template message A latex fixation test also called a latex agglutination assay or test LA assay or test is an assay used clinically in the identification and typing of many important microorganisms These tests use the patient s antigen antibody immune response This response occurs when the body detects a pathogen and forms an antibody specific to an identified antigen a protein configuration present on the surface of the pathogen citation needed Latex fixation testMeSHD007841MedlinePlus003334Agglutination tests specific to a variety of pathogens can be designed and manufactured for clinicians by coating microbeads of latex with pathogen specific antigens or antibodies In performing a test laboratory clinicians will mix a patient s cerebrospinal fluid serum or urine with the coated latex particles in serial dilutions with normal saline important to avoid the prozone effect and observe for agglutination clumping Agglutination of the beads in any of the dilutions is considered a positive result confirming either that the patient s body has produced the pathogen specific antibody if the test supplied the antigen or that the specimen contains the pathogen s antigen if the test supplied the antibody Instances of cross reactivity where the antibody sticks to another antigen besides the antigen of interest can lead to confusing results Agglutination techniques are used to detect antibodies produced in response to a variety of viruses and bacteria as well as autoantibodies which are produced against the self in autoimmune diseases For example assays exist for rubella virus rotavirus and rheumatoid factor and an excellent LA test is available for cryptococcus 1 Agglutination techniques are also used in definitive diagnosis of group A streptococcal infection See also editVisceral leishmaniasis DiagnosisReferences edit Howanitz and Howanitz Laboratory Medicine Published by Church Livingston 1991 pp 825 828External links editLatex fixation test at the U S National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings MeSH Singer JM Edberg SC Selinger M Amram M 1979 Quality control of the latex fixation test Am J Clin Pathol 72 4 591 6 doi 10 1093 ajcp 72 4 591 PMID 495562 Description of the test Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Latex fixation test amp oldid 1196096005, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
