Difference between revisions of "Immunodiffusion"
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Immunodiffusion reactions are diagnostic tests that use the diffusion of particles through a medium (such as agar) to measure: | Immunodiffusion reactions are diagnostic tests that use the diffusion of particles through a medium (such as agar) to measure: | ||
| − | * | + | *Relative concentrations of antibodies/antigens |
| − | * | + | *Relative purity of an antigen preparation |
There are two types of immunodiffusion reaction, both being carried out on a semisolid medium: | There are two types of immunodiffusion reaction, both being carried out on a semisolid medium: | ||
| − | *''' | + | *'''Radial immunodiffusion''': also known as the Mancini method. The medium is prepared with a suitable dilution of antiserum and the antigen sample placed on top and allowed to diffuse. As diffusion takes place, large insoluble complexes form creating a ring of precipitation (precipitin). By comparing the area of the ring with a standard curve, the concentration of the antigen sample can be determined. |
| − | *''' | + | *'''Double immunodiffusion''': also known as the Ouchterlony method. Antigen and antibody preparations are placed on the medium and both allowed to diffuse radially from the wells towards each other. This establishes a concentration gradient, forming an area of equivalence and line of precipitin. |
Revision as of 13:08, 14 August 2009
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Immunodiffusion reactions are diagnostic tests that use the diffusion of particles through a medium (such as agar) to measure:
- Relative concentrations of antibodies/antigens
- Relative purity of an antigen preparation
There are two types of immunodiffusion reaction, both being carried out on a semisolid medium:
- Radial immunodiffusion: also known as the Mancini method. The medium is prepared with a suitable dilution of antiserum and the antigen sample placed on top and allowed to diffuse. As diffusion takes place, large insoluble complexes form creating a ring of precipitation (precipitin). By comparing the area of the ring with a standard curve, the concentration of the antigen sample can be determined.
- Double immunodiffusion: also known as the Ouchterlony method. Antigen and antibody preparations are placed on the medium and both allowed to diffuse radially from the wells towards each other. This establishes a concentration gradient, forming an area of equivalence and line of precipitin.