Schick test

Schick test

The Schick test, invented between 1910 and 1911, is a test used to determine whether or not a person is susceptible to diphtheria. It was named after its inventor, Béla Schick (1877–1967), a Hungarian-born American pediatrician.

The test is a simple procedure. A small amount (0.1 ml) of diluted (1/50 MLD) diphtheria toxin is injected intradermally into the arm of the person. If a person does not have enough antibodies to fight it off, the skin around the injection will become red and swollen, indicating a positive result. This swelling disappears after a few days. If the person has immunity, then little or no swelling and redness will occur, indicating a negative result.

Results can be interpreted as:
# Positive: when the test results in a wheel of 5–10 mm diameter
# Pseudo-positive: when there is only a red colored inflammation and it disappears rapidly
# Negative reaction:
# pseudo negative reaction:

References

* "Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary", 20th Ed. (2005).


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Schick test — shik n a serological test for susceptibility to diphtheria by cutaneous injection of a diluted diphtheria toxin that causes an area of reddening and induration in susceptible individuals Schick Béla (1877 1967) American pediatrician. In 1913… …   Medical dictionary

  • Schick test — Schick′ test med a diphtheria immunity test in which diphtheria toxoid is injected intracutaneously, nonimmunity being indicated by an inflammation at the injection site • Etymology: 1915–20; after B. Schick …   From formal English to slang

  • Schick test — ☆ Schick test [shik ] n. [after Béla Schick (1877 1967), U.S. pediatrician, born in Hungary, who devised it] a test to determine immunity to diphtheria, made by injecting dilute diphtheria toxin into the skin: if an area of inflammation results,… …   English World dictionary

  • Schick test — noun a skin test for immunity to diphtheria • Hypernyms: ↑skin test * * * ˈshik noun Usage: usually capitalized S Etymology: after Béla Schick died 1967 American pediatrician : a test for susceptibility to diphtheria performed by injecting a… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Schick test control — [USP] heat inactivated diphtheria toxin used as a control in the Schick test. Formerly called inactivated diagnostic diphtheria toxin …   Medical dictionary

  • Schick test — n. test discovered by Bela Schick to test susceptibility to diphtheria in which an injection of nontoxic diphtheria is given under the skin to determine whether a patient is immune to diphtheria (if red patch appears on the skin at the point of… …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Schick test — /ˈʃɪk tɛst/ (say shik test) noun a diphtheria immunity test in which diphtheria toxoid is injected cutaneously, non immunity being characterised by an inflammation at the injection site. {named after Dr Bela Schick, 1877–1967, US paediatrician} …  

  • Schick test — noun Etymology: Béla Schick Date: 1916 a test for susceptibility to diphtheria by cutaneous injection of a diluted diphtheria toxin that causes an area of reddening and induration in susceptible individuals …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Schick test — Med. a diphtheria immunity test in which diphtheria toxoid is injected intracutaneously, nonimmunity being indicated by an inflammation at the injection site. [1915 20; named after B. SCHICK] * * * …   Universalium

  • Schick test — a test to determine whether a person is susceptible to diphtheria. A small quantity of diphtheria toxin is injected under the skin; a patch of reddening and swelling shows that the person has no immunity and – if at particular risk – should be… …   The new mediacal dictionary

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