Chapter 15, Problem 4CT

(a)

Summary Introduction

To describe:

Whether disease testing seropositive in blood serum may or may not develop at the same rate in all the patients exposed to the microbe.

Concept introduction:

“Seropositivity” means detection of virus-specific antigens or antibodies in the blood samples of patients. Virus particles replicate inside the human body and undergo stages of lytic phase and lysogenic phase. Exposure to foreign antigenic virus particles releases antibodies in blood after activation of the immune system.

(b)

Summary Introduction

To describe:

Whether a high rate of false-positives decreases the sensitivity or specificity of a serological test.

Concept introduction:

False-positives are produced during experiments due to cross-reaction of antigens with antibodies. It is a test of the specificity of serological tests. Sensitivity is the ability of an experiment to analyze and detect foreign antigens in the body in small concentrations. Specificity of an experiment is to analyze the experiment with accurate results and lack of false positives.