A specific sensitized matrix for diagnosing both infectious and non-infectious disease is disclosed comprised of an insoluble, inert, pliable and wettable matrix having a network of pores, and a protein polymer network immobilized in the network of pores formed of protein carrier molecules, specific antigens or antibodies, and a coupling agent coupling the protein carrier molecules together and the antigen or antibody to the protein carrier molecules. A variety of matrix materials, protein carrier molecules, specific antigens or antibodies and coupling agents can be used. Methods of preparing the sensitized matrix and diagnostic test procedures utilizing the sensitized matrix for detecting disease are also disclosed.
Antibodies to lipophilic haptens and antigens, such as the antibodies of bile acids are non-covalently coated on a solid substrate for use in solid phase immunoassays by including in the antibody coating solution an inorganic salt, such as ammonium sulfate, to increase the ionic strength of the solution.
A solid substrate is simultaneously contacted with a labeled form of a ligand to be assayed, a receptor for the ligand to be assayed and a solution of an ionic salt to produce a solid substrate which contains the labeled form of the ligand and the receptor. In a subsequent assay for the ligand, the solid substrate is contacted with a sample containing the ligand, whereby the labeled form of the ligand is available for equilibration with the receptor in competition with the ligand to be assayed.
Composition for the determining of whether or not a female is pregnant are provided. The composition consists essentially of a neutral and inert particle on which .gamma.-globulin is adsorbed, said .gamma.-globulin being coupled to a bi-functional coupling agent, the two functional groups thereof possessing different reactivities, the other functional group of said coupling agent being coupled to HCG. The body fluid of the female suspected of being pregnant is mixed with the above composition and permitted to stand. Agglutination indicates non-pregnancy whereas failure of agglutination indicates pregnancy.
The presence of antigens is detected with a device having an antibody immunochemically reactive with the antigen bound to a first microporous membrane coated with an inert proteinaceous material and an antibody immunochemically non-reactive with the antigen bound to a second microporous membrane coated with an inert proteinaceous material. The device is particularly useful in an immunoassay for an antigen of Entamoeba histolytica in unfractionated feces or colon aspirate.
