Abderhalden reaction

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Abderhalden reaction (pronunciation: ab-der-hal-den re-ak-shun) is a biochemical reaction named after the Swiss biochemist Emil Abderhalden. It is a controversial diagnostic test formerly used for the detection of pregnancy and certain diseases.

Etymology

The term "Abderhalden reaction" is derived from the name of its discoverer, Emil Abderhalden, a Swiss biochemist who first described the reaction in 1909.

Description

The Abderhalden reaction is a serological test that was believed to detect the presence of specific proteolytic enzymes, or "defensive enzymes," in the blood. These enzymes were thought to be produced by the body in response to the presence of foreign proteins, such as those introduced by a fetus during pregnancy or by certain diseases.

Procedure

The test involved incubating the patient's serum with the suspected foreign protein. If the Abderhalden reaction was positive, the serum would supposedly break down the protein, producing a clear solution. The reaction was then detected by the absence of a precipitate after adding ammonium sulfate.

Controversy

The validity of the Abderhalden reaction has been questioned since its introduction. Many researchers have been unable to reproduce Abderhalden's results, and the existence of the "defensive enzymes" he proposed has been disputed. Today, the Abderhalden reaction is largely considered obsolete and is not used in modern medical practice.

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