The correct spelling of "opsonic technique" is /ɒpsɒnɪk tɛkniːk/. The word "opsonic" comes from the Greek opsono meaning "to prepare food for eating." In immunology, opsonization refers to the coating of a pathogen by antibodies or complement proteins, which then facilitates phagocytosis by immune cells. The opsonic technique is a laboratory method used to measure opsonization efficiency. It involves incubating a pathogen with serum and phagocytic cells, and then counting the number of cells that have engulfed the pathogen.
The opsonic technique refers to a method used in immunology and medical research for identifying and quantifying the opsonins present in a biological sample. Opsonins are molecules that enhance the process of phagocytosis, which is the engulfment and destruction of bacteria, viruses, or other foreign particles by phagocytes, particularly macrophages and neutrophils.
In the opsonic technique, a sample suspected to contain opsonins is mixed with a standardized suspension of bacteria or other target particles. This mixture is then introduced to a phagocyte suspension. Opsonization occurs when the opsonins present in the sample bind to the target particles, marking them for phagocytosis. The degree of opsonization can be determined by measuring the uptake of the opsonized particles by the phagocytes, for example, by assessing the number of engulfed particles per phagocyte or by calculating the percentage of phagocytes that have engulfed opsonized particles.
The opsonic technique is often employed to study the immune response to pathogens or to evaluate the efficacy of vaccines. By quantifying the opsonins present in a sample, researchers can determine the level of immune system activation or the effectiveness of a particular immune response in promoting phagocytosis. Additionally, the opsonic technique can be used to compare the opsonic activity of different samples or to assess the impact of experimental factors, such as treatment interventions or genetic mutations, on opsonization.
The sum of the manipulations employed in relation to o. therapy-the preparation of bacterial vaccines, the determination of the o. index, the injection of vaccines, etc.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "opsonic" is derived from the Greek word "opsis" meaning "savor or relish". In medical terminology, it refers to the process by which antibodies or immune cells help to enhance the ability of the immune system to recognize and eliminate pathogens.
The term "opsonic technique" combines "opsonic" with "technique", which originates from the Latin word "technicus" derived from the Greek word "tekhnē", meaning "art, craft, or skill". In this context, the term "opsonic technique" refers to the method or approach used to measure and study the opsonic activity in the immune system.