Index of terms and abbreviations

0.04M phosphate buffer (pH 7.6):

Solution A: Disolve 7.13g of disodium hydrogen phosphate (Na₂HPO₄12H₂O) in 1L of distilled water,

Solution B: Dissolve 5.45g of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH₂PO₄) in 1L of distilled water,

Mix six parts of solution A with one part of solution B in order to have a buffer solution of pH 7.6,

Check pH, adjust with strong acid or alkali,

Sterilise by autoclaving and recheck pH.

Diagnostic specimen

Any human or animal material being shipped not known or suspected of containing a pathogen. This includes blood, blood components (serum), tissue and body fluids. Diagnostic specimens must be shipped with the triple packaging as referred in IATA  packaging instruction 650.

DNA probe

A fragment of marked DNA (Desoxyribo Nucleic Acid) produced by genetic engineering to specifically bind with a DNA sequence. It is used in combination with PCR for the diagnosis of protozoal, bacterial and viral diseases. The probe is marked with ³²P or more commonly now, with chemiluminescent detectable marker.

EDTA

Ethylene Diamine Tetra-acetic Acid, is a reversible anticoagulant, use for the preservation of whole blood. EDTA tubes have a purple cap.

ELISA

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay, is a rapid test where an antibody or antigen is linked to an enzyme as a means of detecting a match between the antibody and antigen. It usually has good sensitivity and good specificity. There are different types of ELISA tests. The direct ELISA test detects antigens present in the sample, using monoclonal antibodies. In an indirect ELISA, the specific antigen and antibody is reacted and then detected with a third, enzyme-conjugated anti-species antibody. This has the benefit of enabling one enzyme-conjugated anti-species reagent to be used for assays for a range of pathogens. Different indirect ELISA tests, such as the capture ELISA (antigen or antibody capture), the competitive ELISA and the blocking ELISA have been developed to address the different needs of sensitivity, specificity and rapidity.

 

Glycerol-phosphate buffer:

Add equal parts of glycerol and 0.004M phosphate (pH 7.6)

Sterilise by autoclaving and recheck pH.

Heparin

Heparin is an anticoagulant use for the preservation of whole blood. Heparin tubes have a green cap.

Immunohistochemistry

Diagnostic technique used for the detection of antigens associated with viral, bacterial and protozoal organisms and prion proteins in fixed tissues. The technique is very interesting as the detection from fixed tissues is more convenient for sample submission, retrospective diagnosis, and is safer. Furthermore it is very rapid. 

Infectious substance

An infectious substance is defined as a substance containing a viable microorganism, such as a bacterium, virus, rickettsia, parasite or fungus, that is known or reasonably believed to cause disease in humans or animals.

Neutral buffered formalin:

Disodium hydrogen phosphate (Na₂HPO₄) 6.5 g,

Potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH₂PO₄) 4.0 g,

Formalin (formaldehyde solution) 100 ml,

Distilled water to make up to  1000mL

PCR

Polymerase Chain Reaction is a technique of amplification of DNA. It is very sensitive and can be used to detect infectious agents in hosts tissues and vectors. Contamination of samples may cause problem in the PCR-based diagnosis, leading to a lack of specificity. PCR is commonly used in all genetic engineering tasks. RT-PCR or Reverse transcriptase PCR is used to detect RNA viruses and involves a reverse transcription of the RNA into a complementary DNA strain.