- Schick test
- 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 individualsSchick Béla (1877-1967)American pediatrician. In 1913 Schick announced his development of the Schick test for susceptibility to diphtheria. The test was a safe, reliable method of detection that eliminated the unnecessary use of sera with serious side effects.
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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 immunized.B. Schick (1877-1967), US paediatrician* * *
(for reactivity or immunity to diphtheria toxin) an intradermal test in which diphtheria toxin equal to one-fiftieth of the minimum lethal dose for a guinea pig is injected into one of the subject's arms (the test site) and an equal quantity of heat-inactivated diphtheria toxin is injected into the other arm (the control site). A positive reaction consists of redness at the test site only, appearing in 24 to 36 hours and persisting for 4 to 5 days, leaving a brown spot on the skin; this indicates lack of immunity to diphtheria. Immunity is indicated by either a pseudoreaction (redness at both sites, usually disappearing in 48 hours without residual pigmentation) or a negative reaction.
Medical dictionary. 2011.