Tubes part-filled with antigens - in gel for antigen-antibody reaction in body fluids visible as a narrow precipitation zone

摘要

Antigens obtained in the customary way are taken up in a suitable gel, pref. 0.6-1% agar-agar, and filled into transparent tubes of 1-5 mm dia. and 5-10 mm length, made from glass or plastic, to only part of its length e.g. 2-5 cm., so that the gell can be covered with about an equal amount of body fluid to be tested. The preferred test tubes are closed at both ends and the empty end is opened before use to be filled with the body fluid in close contact with the gel. Precipitation is carried out at 37 degrees C, opt. followed at 4 degrees C. The antigen-antibody reaction becomes visible as a narrow precipitation zone and may be measured at intervals to allow quantitative comparisons. The method determines humoral antibody-immunoglobulins against antigens in body fluids, -cells, micro-organisms and virus contained in the gel.