Nature created man in the form of a combination of many complex systems and processes, each of which depends on the state of health of the individual. The immune system is one of the most important functional units, which is responsible for the interaction of a person with the world and is designed to protect him from various microorganisms. To do this, she uses special glycoproteins, which we call antibodies.
Antibodies in the blood - what is it
From the course of school biology, we all know that antibodies are constantly present in humans in the blood, and each of us has them. Their set differs depending on what diseases a person suffered during his life and what diseases he was vaccinated with, a certain type of antibody can neutralize only a certain type of pathogen. That is why doctors can prescribe an analysis for antibodies in the blood for the diagnosis of a disease, the norm of which is different for each particular disease.
Particular importance is attached to the amount of antibodies during pregnancy, therefore, all pregnant women are examined for antibodies in the blood without fail. While waiting for a child to be born to a pregnant woman, many diseases can aggravate that previously did not cause her any trouble, but which now can threaten the life or normal development of her child. The complex of mandatory tests includes a blood test for antibodies to major viral infections that are dangerous to the fetus, that is, rubella, herpes and toxoplasmosis.
In what cases is it necessary to donate blood for antibodies
In addition, similar studies are carried out with various parasitic infections. Under the condition of healthy immunity, the human body reacts sharply to any foreign organism that enters the network of the immune system, and it does not matter if it is a bacterium or any parasite. Activation of the body's defenses requires some time, during which antibodies in the blood begin to be produced, after which their number increases sharply and on this basis we can talk about the presence of infection in the body.
If the patient has a suspicion of any infection, it happens that you have to test for antibodies several times, because some pathogens may be present in the body in a latent state for days or even weeks. For example, at least 10 days must pass from the moment of infection to detect giardiasis, and if the result is doubtful, an additional analysis may be scheduled in another week.
Types of antibodies of the human body
There are several types of antibodies that vary depending on the functions that they must perform. For example, anti-parasitic and anti-infectious antibodies are aimed at destroying the causative agent of the disease, or at least at disrupting its activity. Antitoxic immunoglobulins do not directly cause any harm to the pathogen, but they effectively neutralize its toxins, which cause the symptoms of the disease. It should be remembered that sometimes elevated antibodies in the blood do not indicate the existence of an infection in the body at the moment, but that it has ever been. Such agents cannot overcome the infection, but simply report it. Autoantibodies are signs of autoimmune diseases, the essence of which is that the body's immune system ceases to distinguish its own cells and produces antibodies to them, simply destroying them. Alloantibodies are precisely those guards who protect the body from cells of a similar type, but belonging to another organism. It is because of their activity that organ rejection occurs during transplantation or a negative reaction occurs during blood transfusion.