Nephelometry is a laboratory technique that uses light scattering to detect and quantify proteins like immunoglobulins in blood plasma or serum to help diagnose immune system issues. It works by measuring the scattering of light when it passes through a solution containing antibodies and antigens that have formed insoluble complexes. The amount of scattered light is proportional to the number of complexes and can be compared to standards of known concentrations to determine the level of the unknown protein. Nephelometry is commonly used in hospital laboratories to measure immunoglobulin levels and screen for infections or cancers.

1. Brianna McKenna , Destiny Garrett,
and Kimberly Campbell
MLT 1012: Introduction to clinical laboratory science
Professor Gill
June 20th 2018

3. This tool is used in immunology laboratories. It
is useful for monitoring and diagnosing
various immunodeficiency and autoimmune
diseases. It does this by measuring protein
levels that are apart of the immune
responses.

5.  Nephelometry can be used to measure the
levels of protein in the blood.
 This technique is used to detect antibodies
or antigens in the patient’s sample.
 Most laboratories will use the antibodies as
the reagent and the patient's antigens will be
unknown.

6.  When a light is shined through the solution
the precipitates will make the light scatter.
 There is a photomultiplier tube placed at an
angle that measures the scattered light.
 The light used can either be a tungsten lamp
or a laser depending on the amount of info
that is needed.

7.  The amount of
scattered light is
proportional to the
number of
insoluble
complexes.
 These results are
then compared to
the amount of
scatter light from a
known mixtures
(standards).
 The amount of
unknown is
determined by a
standards curb.

9. Nephelometry is most often used to find
immunoglobulins (IgM, IgA, IgG) in the plasma
to look for problems in the immune system.
The BN ProSpec is commonly used in hospitals
to analyze plasma protein.

10.  Nephelometry is used in the hematology
section of the lab.
 It uses light to detect proteins, most often
immunoglobulins, to look for infections or
some types of cancers. The high or low levels
can tell you what to further test for.

11. BN ProSpec System. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.siemens-
healthineers.com/en-us/plasma-protein/systems/bn-prospec-system
Dell, E. (2002, January 02). How does nephelometry work? Retrieved June
16, 2018, from https://www.bmglabtech.com/how-does-nephelometry-
work
Khouja, H. (n.d.). Turbidimetry and Nephelometry. Retrieved June 19,
2018, from Https://kau.edu.sa/Files/0013791/Subjects/Turbidimetry
and Nephelometry.pdf
Monitoring of microbial growth curves by laser nephelometry. (2019).
Retrieved from
https://www.bmglabtech.com/fileadmin/06_Support/Download_Doc
uments/Application_Notes/AN125.pdf
Nephelometry and Turbidimetry: Principle, Theory and Techniques. (2016,
July 23). Retrieved June 18, 2018, from
http://www.environmentalpollution.in/pollution/regulation-and-
monitoring/nephelometry-and-turbidimetry-principle-theory-and-
techniques/1880
Nephelometry. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://science4u.info/virtual-
lab/autoimmunity-laboratory/nephelometry/