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CFT Full Form is “Complement Fixation Test” This laboratory test is utilized to identify and diagnose infections, autoimmune disorders, and allergies. It works by assessing the complement system’s capacity in the blood to bind to and neutralize specific antigens. Complement consists of a group of proteins that assist in combating infections and eliminating abnormal cells from the body. CFT is frequently employed to diagnose bacterial and parasitic infections and can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatments for these infections.
The idea for the test was first introduced by Jules Bordet as a way to treat syphilis, a highly dangerous disease. The full understanding and interpretation of the Complement Fixation Test (CFT) were developed and refined by August Paul von Wassermann, a German bacteriologist, Albert Neisser, a German dermatologist and venereologist, and Carl Buck. The reaction discovered by Wassermann is now known as the Bordet-Wassermann reaction. This test is used for diagnosing liver disease and various other illnesses. This article explains the CFT Full Form and provides assistance for students.
What is the Full Form of CFT?
The full form of CFT is Complement Fixation Test. This is a lab method used in immunology to find antibodies in a patient’s blood serum. It’s especially helpful for diagnosing infectious diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.
Principles of CFT
The CFT full form is Complement Fixation Test. Here are its basic principles:
- Role of Complement: The test uses a protein called complement, found naturally in blood serum. Complement is important in the body’s immune response as it binds to immune complexes formed during an antigen-antibody reaction.
- Formation and Fixation: When an antigen-antibody (Ag-Ab) complex forms, the complement can attach to this complex. This attachment, or fixation, is the core of the CFT.
- Cell Destruction: Once the complement attaches to the complex, it causes the destruction (lysis) of the cells involved. This can happen to various cells, such as bacteria and red blood cells.
- Hemolysis Measurement: In CFT, red blood cells are usually the target cells. When the complement fixes to the Ag-Ab complex on these cells, it damages their membranes, leading to cell lysis. The amount of lysis is measured by the release of free hemoglobin.
Understanding the CFT full form and its principles is essential for those studying immunology and diagnostic methods in healthcare.
Process of Complement Fixation Test
The complement system is made up of serum proteins that bind to antigen-antibody complexes and react with them. When this reaction occurs on a cell’s surface, it creates trans-membrane holes, leading to the destruction of the cell. Here are the basic steps in a complement fixation test (CFT):
- The patient’s serum is extracted.
- Complement proteins vary in amount in patients’ blood. To ensure accurate results, these proteins must be removed and replaced with a standard amount of complement proteins.
- The serum is heated to eliminate all complement proteins without affecting the antibodies since complement proteins are more heat-sensitive than antibodies.
- The serum is then supplemented with a known amount of standard complement proteins, often obtained from guinea pig serum.
- The serum is mixed with the protein of interest.
- The serum is further mixed with sheep red blood cells (RBCs) that have pre-bound anti-sRBC antibodies. If the solution turns pink at this stage, the test is negative; if it remains clear, the test is positive.
In step 3, if antibodies against the antigen of interest are present in the clinical specimen, they will bind to the antigen, forming antigen-antibody complexes. These complexes will react with the complement proteins, depleting them. When sheep RBC-antibody complexes are added in step 6, there will be no remaining complement to react, and the solution will not turn pink. However, if no antibodies against the protein of interest are present, the complement will remain intact, react with the RBC-antibody complexes, and turn the solution pink.
Types of CFT
Complement Fixation Tests (CFTs) come in various types, each used to diagnose different conditions. Here are some examples:
- Syphilis CFT: This test helps diagnose syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum.
- Tuberculosis CFT: This test is used to diagnose tuberculosis, a bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs but can impact other organs as well.
- Leptospirosis CFT: This test detects leptospirosis, an infection spread through contact with urine from infected animals.
- Lupus CFT: This test helps identify lupus, an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues and organs.
- Allergy CFT: This test is used to find out if someone has allergies to specific substances like foods, medications, or environmental allergens.
In general, CFTs are performed in a lab using a small blood sample from the patient. The blood is mixed with a known antigen, and the activated complement is measured to determine if there is an infection or other condition. Understanding the CFT full form (Complement Fixation Test) is important for diagnosing various health issues.
Advantages of CFT
The Complement Fixation Test (CFT) offers several benefits that make it a useful diagnostic tool:
- High Accuracy: CFT is very accurate in detecting specific antibodies or antigens in the blood.
- Versatile Application: It can be used for diagnosing many different diseases, making it a flexible tool in medical labs.
- Quantitative Data: CFT provides numerical results, helping healthcare professionals measure the amount of antibodies present in a patient’s blood.
CFT Full Form in Various Contexts
CFT Full Form in AML
The CFT full form in Anti-Money Laundering (AML) is “Combating the Financing of Terrorism.” This involves efforts to stop terrorists from getting financial support. It includes tracking and disrupting financial networks used by terrorists, identifying and freezing assets, and applying financial sanctions. CFT is crucial in AML because terrorists need funds to operate.
CFT Full Form in Construction
In construction, the CFT full form is “Concrete Filled Steel Tube.” This structural element consists of a steel tube filled with concrete to increase strength and stiffness. These tubes are commonly used in buildings and bridges to resist loads from wind or earthquakes due to their high strength and durability.
CFT Full Form in Industry
The CFT full form in industry is “Cross-Functional Team.” This team comprises individuals from different departments like marketing, sales, engineering, and operations working together on a specific project. Cross-functional teams encourage collaboration, improve communication, and leverage diverse expertise to achieve common goals, such as product development or process improvement.
CFT Full Form in Chemistry
In chemistry, CFT stands for “Crystal Field Theory.” This theory explains the splitting of electron energy levels in transition metal ions in a crystal field. It helps in understanding the color patterns and magnetic behavior of these compounds. Developed in the 1930s, CFT is essential for studying the properties of transition metal complexes.
CFT Full Form in Logistics
In logistics, the CFT full form is “Cubic Feet.” This unit of measurement is used to express the volume of a space or container. For instance, a container measuring 10 feet long, 5 feet wide, and 8 feet high has a volume of 400 cubic feet (10 x 5 x 8).
CFT Full Form in Banking
In banking, the CFT full form is also “Combating the Financing of Terrorism.” Banks implement CFT measures to detect and prevent the flow of funds to terrorist organizations, ensuring the integrity of the financial system.
CFT Full Form in Medical
In medical terminology, the CFT full form is “Complement Fixation Test.” This test is used to diagnose infections by detecting the presence of specific antibodies in a patient’s blood. It involves mixing a patient’s serum with antigens to observe if complement proteins are used up, indicating an immune response.
CFT Full Form in Engineering
In engineering, the CFT full form can refer to “Concrete Filled Tube,” similar to its usage in construction, denoting a steel tube filled with concrete to enhance structural integrity.
By understanding the CFT full form in different contexts, including CFT full form in banking, CFT full form in engineering, AML CFT full form, CFT full form in medical, CFT full form in chemistry, and CFT full form in construction, we gain a comprehensive view of its applications across various fields.
FAQs on CFT Full Form
What does CFT stand for?
CFT stands for Complement Fixation Test, a blood test used to detect the presence of specific antibodies in serum samples.
What shows a positive result in a complement fixation test?
A positive result, like in the Wasserman reaction for syphilis, indicates the presence of antibodies, confirming an infection.
What is used as an indicator in the complement fixation test?
Sheep red blood cells (RBCs) are used as indicators. If the complement binds to the antigen-antibody complex, the RBCs remain unlysed and form a button at the bottom of the well.
Why is a CFT necessary?
CFT is used to detect specific antibodies in the blood, helping diagnose various infectious diseases.
When is the indicator system of CFT inactivated?
The indicator system is inactivated by heating it to 56 degrees Celsius for about 30 minutes.
What triggers complement fixation in CFT?
Complement fixation occurs when an antigen-antibody reaction leads to the formation of a heterogeneous phase, such as red cells, bacteria, or a precipitate.
What is applied to the indicator system in CFT?
Sheep RBCs, coated with anti-sheep antibodies, are used in the indicator system.
What does a positive CFT result indicate?
A positive result indicates the presence of antibodies, suggesting an infection like syphilis.
What is the full form of CFT?
The full form of CFT is Complement Fixation Test.
What is the main purpose of CFT?
The main purpose of CFT is to diagnose infectious diseases by detecting specific antibodies in blood serum.
Which diseases are commonly diagnosed using CFT?
CFT has been used to diagnose diseases such as tuberculosis, brucellosis, and various viral infections.
Is CFT still widely used today?
While newer tests are available, CFT is still valuable for specific diagnostic purposes due to its high specificity.
Are there any limitations of CFT?
CFT can be time-consuming and requires specialized equipment and expertise. It may produce false positives or negatives and isn't suitable for all diseases.
How does CFT differ from other tests?
Unlike tests like ELISA, which measure direct antibody-antigen binding, CFT measures complement fixation, offering high specificity and quantitative results.
