ACTIVITY 5

ANTIBODY TITRATION
1. IMPORTANCE OF TITER
The titer corresponds to the highest dilution factor
that still yields a positive reading
The antibody titer is a test that detects the presence
and measures the amount of antibodies within a
persons blood.
The amount and diversity of antibodies correlates
to the strength of the bodys immune response.
An antibody titer is prescribed to investigate
problems regarding:
o frequent bacterial or viral infections
o low levels of white blood cells
o liver disease
o flu-like symptoms
o suspected viral disease
o suspected autoimmune disorder
o suspected parasite infection
o to determine if a repeat vaccination or booster
is needed
The antibody titer is also used to determine:
o The strength of an immune response to the
body's own tissue in diseases such as systemic
lupus erythematosus (SLE) and other
autoimmune disorders
o Your need for a booster immunization
o Whether a recent vaccine caused a strong
enough response from your immune system to
protect you against the specific disease
o Whether you have, or recently had, an
infection such as mononucleosis or viral
hepatitis


2. WHAT IS MEANT BY THE FOLLOWING:
A. 2-FOLD DILUTION
A two-fold dilution reduces the concentration of a
solution by a factor of two that is reduces the
original concentration by one half. A series of two-
fold dilutions is described as two-fold serial
dilutions. In this manual, two-fold serial dilutions
are carried out in small volumes in microwell
plates. They are used in both the haemagglutination
and haemagglutination inhibition tests to establish
titres of the test samples




B. 4-FOLD DILUTION
A 4-fold dilution reduces the concentration of a
solution by a factor that is reduces the original
concentration by 1/4. A series of 4 fold dilution is
described as 1:4 serial dilutions. A serum specimen
is diluted 1:4 buffer

C. 16-FOLD DILUTION
A 16-fold dilution reduces the concentration of a
solution by a factor of 16 that reduces the original
concentration by 1/16. A series 16 fold dilutions is
described as 16-fold serial dilution. A serum
specimen is diluted 1:16 buffer

3. WHAT IS THE DEAN-WEBB & RAMON METHOD?
A. DEAN-WEBB METHOD
A test for measuring antibody in which varying
dilutions of antibody are mixed with a constant
quantity of antigen; antibody activity is determined
by the dilution in which flocculation occurs most
rapidly, i.e. the end point.
Method for estimating the antibody content of
antisera
This method of optimal proportion to determine
the rate of production of antibody in rabbits blood
Concluded that in a series of mixtures containing
constant amount of antiserum and various amount
of horse serum

B. RAMON METHOD
Was found to be simpler, more rapid, subject to
better control and less expensive than the usual
way of titrating toxins and antitoxins by the use of
animals. It is reliable and accurate
Ramons flocculation method is practically useful
to those engaged in the preparation and
standardization of toxin and antitoxin and will be
valuable means of advancing the investigation of
the nature of toxin and antitoxin and their
combination