What does the presence of hemolysis in a complement fixation test indicate?

What does the presence of hemolysis in a complement fixation test indicate?

• A. A positive test result
• B. A negative test result
• C. An incorrect sample
• D. A need for retesting

Answer: (B)

The presence of hemolysis in a complement fixation test indicates a negative test result. In this assay, the goal is to determine whether specific antibodies are present in the serum sample being tested. When the test is positive, complement is fixed by the antibody-antigen complex, and hemolysis of indicator red blood cells does not occur. Conversely, if hemolysis is observed, it signifies that complement has not been fixed, suggesting that antibodies are either not present or are in insufficient quantity to fix the complement. Hence, hemolysis directly correlates with a negative test result, affirming the outcome demonstrated by the absence of antibody presence or the ineffectiveness of the test system. In this context, the other answer choices do not accurately reflect the relationship between hemolysis and the test's interpretation. For example, a positive test would result in no hemolysis, while an incorrect sample or need for retesting are not intrinsic interpretations related to hemolysis in this specific scenario.

The presence of hemolysis in a complement fixation test indicates a negative test result. In this assay, the goal is to determine whether specific antibodies are present in the serum sample being tested. When the test is positive, complement is fixed by the antibody-antigen complex, and hemolysis of indicator red blood cells does not occur. Conversely, if hemolysis is observed, it signifies that complement has not been fixed, suggesting that antibodies are either not present or are in insufficient quantity to fix the complement. Hence, hemolysis directly correlates with a negative test result, affirming the outcome demonstrated by the absence of antibody presence or the ineffectiveness of the test system.

In this context, the other answer choices do not accurately reflect the relationship between hemolysis and the test's interpretation. For example, a positive test would result in no hemolysis, while an incorrect sample or need for retesting are not intrinsic interpretations related to hemolysis in this specific scenario.