Immunofluorescence
Key points
- Immunofluorescence is a laboratory technique to identify specific antibodies or antigens.
- Blood is drawn from a vein, usually on the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand.
- The preparation you can provide for this test depends on your child's age and previous experiences.
- This test is used to detect and roughly measure the amount of antibodies in the blood.
Definition
Immunofluorescence is a laboratory technique to identify specific antibodies or antigens. Antibody identification is usually performed on blood (serum).
How the test is performed
Blood is drawn from a vein, usually on the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic, and an elastic band is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure and restrict blood flow through the vein. This causes veins below the band to fill with blood.
A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. During the procedure, the band is removed to restore circulation. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.
For an infant or young child, the area is cleansed with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. The blood may be collected in a pipette (small glass tube), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container. Cotton or a bandage may be applied to the puncture site if there is any continued bleeding.
Immunofluorescence is a laboratory technique. The exact technique may vary depending on the specific antibody that is being investigated and between different laboratories.
In general, cells, tissue, or some other substance is placed onto microscope slides. A small amount of sample containing antibodies (typically serum, a liquid portion of blood) is placed over the cells or tissue, allowing the antibodies that are specific for the particular tissue or cellular antigens to bind.
The serum is washed away, and a second antibody that binds to human antibodies (often made in another animal species such as rabbits or goats) is applied to the slide. This second antibody has a fluorescent dye chemically linked to it. If the person's serum has antibodies that bind to the tissue or cells, a bright fluorescence can be seen by use of a special microscope.
How to prepare for the test
No special preparation is necessary.
For infants and children:
The preparation you can provide for this test depends on your child's age and previous experiences. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics:
- infant test or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year)
- toddler test or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years)
- preschooler test or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years)
- schoolage test or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years)
Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.