Name of the Procedure:

Immunodiffusion; not elsewhere specified
Common Name(s): Immunodiffusion
Technical Terms: Ouchterlony double diffusion assay, Radial immunodiffusion

Summary

Immunodiffusion is a laboratory technique used to measure and analyze antigen-antibody interactions by observing patterns formed as the substances diffuse through a gel.

Purpose

Medical Conditions Addressed:

• Autoimmune diseases
• Infectious diseases
• Protein deficiencies

Goals/Expected Outcomes:

• Identification of specific antibodies or antigens in a sample
• Evaluation of immune responses
• Diagnostic clarification of certain diseases

Indications

Specific Symptoms or Conditions:

• Unexplained infections
• Suspected autoimmune disorders

• Protein deficiencies

  Patient Criteria:

• Presence of symptoms indicating immune system abnormalities
• Clinical suspicion based on medical history and physical examination

Preparation

Pre-procedure Instructions:

• No special preparation required for the patient

Diagnostic Tests or Assessments:

• Blood sample collection may be required for the procedure

Procedure Description

The procedure involves placing antigens and antibodies in separate wells within a gel matrix. As they diffuse towards each other, they form a precipitin line where they meet if they are specific to each other.

Tools, Equipment, Technology:

• Agar or agarose gel plates
• Micro-pipettes
• Antigen and antibody solutions

Anesthesia or Sedation:

• Not applicable

Duration

Typically, the immunodiffusion procedure itself takes a few hours; however, complete results may take 24 to 48 hours as diffusion occurs.

Setting

This procedure is usually performed in a laboratory setting.

Personnel

• Laboratory technicians
• Clinical pathologists

Risks and Complications

Common Risks:

• Minimal risk as it involves only handling of samples

Rare Risks:

• Potential for sample contamination leading to inaccurate results

Management of Complications:

• Follow strict laboratory protocols to prevent contamination

Benefits

Expected Benefits:

• Accurate identification and quantification of antigens or antibodies
• Better diagnosis of immune-related conditions

Realization Timeframe:

• Results are usually available within 1-2 days

Recovery

Post-procedure Care:

• No specific care required post-procedure

Expected Recovery Time:

• Not applicable as it is a laboratory test

Restrictions or Follow-up:

• No restrictions; follow-up depends on test results

Alternatives

Other Treatment Options:

• Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
• Western Blotting

Pros and Cons of Alternatives:

• ELISA: More quantitative, but requires more sophisticated equipment
• Western Blotting: Highly specific, but more complex and time-consuming

Patient Experience

During the Procedure:

• Not applicable since no patient involvement is required beyond sample collection

After the Procedure:

• Minimal discomfort if a blood sample is taken
• No pain associated with the immunodiffusion process directly