Nephelometry is a laboratory technique that measures the level of proteins in blood, such as immunoglobulins, which help the body fight infections. It works by measuring the amount of light scattered by particles in a diluted blood solution - more scattered light indicates more protein is not dissolved. A nephelometer is used to quantify the scattered light and provide nephelometry values to assess immunological conditions like liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus. Nephelometry allows accurate monitoring of protein levels to assist in treatment planning for conditions where proteins are actively consumed.

1. NEPHELOMETRY
ASHLEY HAMILTON AND SHELIA EDOS
MLT 1012
PROFESSOR DOMENICI
FALL 2014
COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN MARYLAND

2. PURPOSE- WHAT
NEPHELOMETRY IT USED FOR?
• Nephelometry is a tool used in immunology
laboratories for testing levels of proteins in your
blood that are important for effective immune
responses.

3. PRINCIPLE- HOW IT WORKS
• This test can quickly and accurately measure the
level of immunoglobin proteins in blood, which are
the proteins that help your body fight infection.
• It is based on the principle that a dilute solution of
small particles will scatter light passed through it,
rather than simply absorbing it.

4. PRINCIPLE- HOW IT WORKS
• The tool used to measure the amount of scattered light
is called a nephelometer.
• If a substance is completely dissolved in a solution then
there will be nearly no scattered light, leading to a low
nephelometric value.
• If the substance has not dissolved completely in a
solution then light will be scattered, leading to a high
nephelometric value.

5. PRINCIPLE- HOW IT
WORKS
In example A you will see that all the solute has been dissolved
into the solution, therefore there will be no scattered light leading
to a low nephelometric value. In example B, the solute has not
dissolved into the solution, therefore there is an increase in
scattered light, leading to a high nephelometric value.

6. APPLICATIONS
• This technique is widely used in the laboratory and
is easily automated.
• Nephelometry is used for investigating different
immunological problems such as liver disease,
rheumatoid arthritis, leukemia, lymphoma,
preeclampsia, inflammatory bowel disease, and
chronic infections.

7. APPLICATIONS- EXAMPLE
• Patients who have an existing diagnosis of lupus
will be monitored using nephelometry to measure
certain complement protein levels because when
the disease is in an active stage, these proteins are
actively consumed.
• Accurate measurement using nephelometry can
assist the planning of therapy.

8. REFERENCES
• FAQ: How Does Nephelometry Work? (2012, January 2). Retrieved
September 10, 2014, from BMG Labtech website: http://
microplatereaders.blogspot.com/2012/01/faq-how-does-
nephelometrywork.html
• Nephelometry. (2008). Retrieved September 10, 2014, from Virtual
Laboratory website: http://www.science4u.info/virtuallab/autoimmunity/
nephelometrybackground.htm
• Quantitative Nephelometry. (2012, June 5). Retrieved September 16,
2014, from The New York Times Health Guide website:
http://www.nytimes.com/health/ guides/test/quantitative-
immunoglobulins-nephelometry/overview.html