Diphtheria Antibodies (Functional Antibodies)

Immunology

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Description

The investigation of immunodeficiencies include the assessment of the patients ability to produce functional antibodies in response to a vaccination. Specific antibody responses should be measured against a panel of protein and polysaccharide antigens. Protein antigens include tetanus and diphtheria toxoid and polysaccharide antigens include pneumococcus and haemophilus influenzae Type B [2]. Investigation of specific antibody responses are useful in the assessment of patients with recurrent bacterial sepsis, invasive bacterial disease and putative immune defects. They can also be useful in assessing immune reconstitution post bone marrow transplant, asplauric patients and assessment of protective antibody levels as an indication for revaccination [1,2].

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Indications

Immunodeficiency and vaccine responses.

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Sample Type

2mL Serum (Gel 5mL Yellow tube). Requests from outside Sheffield: Transport at ambient temperature via Royal Mail or Courier.

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Reference Range

Minimum protective level is 0.01 IU/mL.
Optimum protective level is 0.1 IU/mL.

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Turnaround Time

Within 4 weeks

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Testing Frequency

4 weeks (send away test).

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References

Wood P. Primary antibody deficiency syndromes. Annals of Clinical Biochemistry. 2009. 46: 99-108. [Ref 1]
PRU Hanbook of Clinical Immunochemistry. 9th Edition. 2007. [Ref 2]
Karakus R, Caglar K, Aybay C. Evaluation of human antibody responses to diptheria toxin subunits A and B in various age groups. Clinical Microbiology and Infection. 2007. 13(11): 1065-1071.

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Please note: the above information is subject to change and we endeavour to keep this website up to date wherever necessary.