Antigen Blood Test
The Antigen Blood Test, also called Agglutination Test or Colloid Blood Test, is a relatively new diagnostic technique from Germany. It involves testing the blood of the person for specific antibodies which the body produces in response to certain disorders or conditions.
While this may sound very involved and expensive, it actually only necessitates taking a small amount of blood and placing it on a special plastic foil. A specific mixture containing the antigens (a substance which stimulates the body’s immune system to produce antibodies) being tested for, is then added to a droplet of blood. The resulting combination is then viewed on a light box. Should the person’s blood contain the antibodies to these specific antigens, an agglutination reaction (or clumping together) occurs.
The strength of the agglutination reaction seen on the slide will determine the value of the antibody titers found in the blood. The more agglutination that occurs, the higher the antibody titers within the body, therefore allowing us to use this as a positive sign for the specific condition which produced the antibodies within the person.
What makes this diagnostic method so unique, however, is that the specific mixtures that the person reacts positively to, can then also be used as part of the treatment for that condition. The mixture can be compared to a vaccine, excepting that the mixture is rubbed onto the skin instead of being injected. This method of application gives the immune system time to recognize the antigen and start eradicating them from the body.
At present there are 10 different mixtures available for testing, and the combination of which mixtures show a positive reaction allows me to determine which organs in the body are affected and which conditions may be involved.