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haemagglutination

Diagnostic Tests Used for Viruses

By On January 7, 2011 · Leave a Comment

A simple and rapid method of quantifying the amount of virus in a sample. Haemagglutination is the agglutination of red blood cells. Viruses with envelops or surface proteins are able to bind to the sialic acid, N-Acetylneuraminic acid found in the cell membrane of red blood cells.

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Adverse Immune Reactions

By On January 6, 2010 · 1 Comment

Introduction

The immune system has become adapted to ensure that ‘self’ cells are not subject to an immune attack. The body is able to do this because tolerance is developed towards self-cells, should this tolerance be broken down by some means, the host becomes subject to autoimmune attacks which can be potentially damaging.

Tolerance

Tolerance [...]

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Developing Immunity in New-Borns

By On December 13, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Introduction

Any new-born animal is born from a sterile environment (e.g. a mother’s womb) into an environment which is filled with microbes and pathogens. Therefore it is important that the newly born animal is able to protect itself in its new, harsh environment. In most species (especially those with longer gestation periods) at birth, the [...]

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