quellung

Thân thiện

A scientist observes quellung under a microscope.

Definition

Noun: A specific immunological reaction in microbiology where the capsule surrounding a bacterium visibly swells when it reacts with its corresponding antibody. This reaction is used as a diagnostic test to identify certain encapsulated microorganisms.

Usage

The term is used almost exclusively in specialized microbiological and medical contexts to describe this particular laboratory phenomenon and the test based on it. * The quellung reaction is a classic method for typing pneumococci. * Under the microscope, a positive quellung test is indicated by the swollen capsule.

Advanced Usage

• Quellung Reaction / Quellung Phenomenon: The full term for the observable event. It is also historically known as the Neufeld reaction.
  • The identification was confirmed using the quellung reaction.

Variants and Related Words

• Quellung Test: The diagnostic procedure based on the quellung reaction.
  • The quellung test is highly specific for detecting Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Synonyms

• Capsular Swelling: A more descriptive, non-proprietary synonym.
• Neufeld Reaction: A historical synonym named after the scientist who described it.

Notes on Meaning

This is a highly technical term with a single, precise meaning in microbiology. It is not used in general language.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the swelling of the capsule surrounding a microorganism after reaction with an antibody; the basis of certain tests for identifying microorganisms
   • pneumococcus quellung

Từ đồng nghĩa

• quellung reaction