Does nephelometry depend on mass spectrometry instrumentation?

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Nephelometry is a technique frequently used to determine levels of the immunoglobulins IgA, IgG and IgM in a bodily fluid sample. Either blood, urine or cerebral spinal fluid may be used. The antibody and antigen are mixed together and light is passed at an angle of approximately 70 degrees through the sample. The particles in the solution cause the intensity of the light to be diminished and scattered. The composition of the solution can be determined based on how the light is scattered by the small particles in the solution. These results are compared with results from previously obtained samples and the composition of the solution can thus be determined.

Normal results for these three immunoglobulins are known. When nephelometer tests show a deviation from the norm, there is an indication of possible illness. Increased levels of IgA might indicate the presence of chronic infection, inflammatory bowel disease, myeloma or rheumatic fever. Decreased levels are a sign of myeloma, hereditary IgA deficiency or protein-losing gastroenteropathy. Increased levels of IgG could signify chronic infection, liver disease or rheumatoid arthritis. Decreased levels could be an indication of leukemia, myeloma or preeclampsia. Finally, increased levels of IgM might mean early HIV infection, mononucleosis or lymphoma. Decreased levels might be due to amyloidosis, leukemia or myeloma. There is quite a bit of overlap, so tests in addition to nephelometry may need to be run in order to determine the actual diagnosis.

Blood, urine, plasma or cerebrospinal fluid can also be sent through a nephelometer to check for other proteins or conditions such as antistreptolysin titers, apolipoprotein C3, and haptoglobulin levels. The results might indicate hemolytic anemia.

Other uses for nephelometry are in the sampling of the sediment in coastal bodies of water and the analysis of air quality for pollution, visibility or the early detection of wildfires. In the examination of air, very small particles could be due to wood fires or automobile exhaust. Slightly larger particles can be traced to fog, haze or smog. Even larger particles might reveal the presence of pollen or sea salt in the air. Nephelometers that analyze dust are able to detect the presence of lead and radioactive particles. At least one drug company has used nephelometers to determine if anti-fungal drugs are in fact doing their job by monitoring the growth of candida albicans in the presence of the pharmaceutical agent.

Generally nephelometry is accomplished with a nephelometer. A nephelometer is an instrument that measures particles that are suspended in a liquid or gas while a light shines through the liquid or gas. A mass spectrometer is an instrument that measures the mass and relative concentrations of atoms and molecules by ionizing the particles, speeding up their travel and measuring the path they travel. Based on the way a particle travels, its composition can be determined. A heavier molecule has more inertia, while a lighter one is knocked around more. This is similar to the observation that colorful autumn leaves are blown around more by fall winds than an apple falling to the ground would be moved by the same wind. In addition, the particles being ionized by the mass spectrometer affects their travel path, giving another clue to their identity. While both the nephelometer and mass spectrometer are useful in the identification of samples whose exact composition is unknown, the two instruments work differently. In one, the light scattering off the particles is measured while in the other it is the trajectory of the particles that is measured.

Nephelometry depends on a nephelometer, not on a mass spectrometer, which is used for mass spectrometry. Although there are similarities between the two, they are not interchangeable.

Resource by A.Moore

I just moved to Michigan from South Carolina. This is my first winter here and so far it's freezing. I enjoy traveling, drawing, camping, writing, and doing community service in my spare time. I work for a education company and help them with their outreach to teachers and students. Hope everyone enjoys my articles.

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