Glossary LQR

• Lambda ( λ) chain: One of two types of immunoglobulin light chains that are present in approximately one - third of all immunoglobulin molecules
• Lancefield group: A means of classifying streptococci on the basis of differences in the cell wall carbohydrate
• Lateral flow immunochromatographic assay (LFA): Immunochromatographic assay for rapid antigen detection
• Lattice: The combination of antibody and multivalent antigen to produce a stable complex that results in a visible reaction
• Law of mass action: A law used to mathematically describe the equilibrium relationship between soluble reactants and insoluble products
• Lean system: A system used in the laboratory that focuses on the elimination of waste to allow a facility to do more with less and at the same time increase customer and employee satisfaction
• Lectin pathway: A pathway for the activation of complement based on binding of mannose - binding protein to constituents on bacterial cell walls
• Leptospira species: Spirochete bacteria that cause leptospirosis
• Leptospirosis: Infection caused by tightly coiled spirochetes called leptospires
• Leukemia: A progressive malignant disease of blood - forming organs, characterized by proliferation of leukocytes and their precursors in the bone marrow
• Leukocytes: White blood cells (WBCs)
• Leukotrienes (LT): A class of secondary mediators released from mast cells and basophils during type I hypersensitivity reactions
• Light (L) chain: Small chain in an immunoglobulin molecule that is bound to the larger chain by disulfide bonds
• The two types of light chains are called kappa and lambda
• Linear epitope: Amino acids following one another on a single polypeptide chain that act as a key antigenic site
• Lyme disease: A disease caused by infection with the spirochete bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi
• Lymph node: A secondary lymphoid organ that is located along a lymphatic duct and whose purpose is to filter lymphatic fluid from the tissues and act as a site for processing of foreign antigen
• Lymphocyte: The key white blood cell (WBC) involved in the adaptive immune response
• Lymphomas: Cancers of the lymphoid cells that tend to proliferate as solid tumors
• Quality assessment (QA): The overall process of guaranteeing quality patient care
• Quality control (QC): The materials, procedures, and techniques that monitor the accuracy, precision, and reliability of a laboratory test
• Quality indicator: Measurements developed by each laboratory to determine if the quality system essentials are being met
• Quality management (QM): The overall process of guaranteeing quality patient care
• Quality management system (QMS): A system that incorporates the objectives of total quality management and continuous quality improvement to ensure quality results, staff competence, and efficiency within an organization
• Quality system essentials (QSEs): Methods to meet the requirements of regulatory, accreditation, and standard - setting organizations.
• Quantitative PCR (qPCR): A molecular test involving accumulation of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product in real time during amplification of a nucleic acid sequence
• It is the primary genetic material of RNA viruses and plays a role in the transcribing of genetic information in cells.
• Random access analyzer: An analyzer that can run multiple tests on multiple samples using multiple analytes
• Reagin: An antibody formed during the course of syphilis that is directed against cardiolipin released from host tissues and not against Treponema pallidum
• As the antigen diffuses out from the well, an antigen – antibody combination occurs until the zone of equivalence is reached.
• Reportable range: The range of values that will generate a positive result for the specimens assayed by the test procedure
• The rate change is directly related to antigen concentration if the concentration of antibody is kept constant
• Recombinant protein vaccine: A vaccine produced by cloning the gene coding for the vaccine antigen into the genome of bacteria, yeast, or cultured cells
• It is characterized by the presence of the autoantibodies anti - CCP and rheumatoid factor.
• Ribonucleic acid (RNA): The nucleic acid containing the sugar ribose
• Reverse transcriptase: An enzyme produced by certain ribonucleic acid (RNA) viruses to convert viral RNA into DNA
• Redundancy: A phenomenon that occurs when different cytokines have the same effect
• This must bind to at least two Fc regions on antibody molecule(s) to initiate the classical complement cascade
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): An autoimmune disease that affects the synovial membrane of multiple joints
• Rapid immunoassays: Membrane - based tests based on immunochromatography and commonly used as point - of - care assays