title: New immunochemical method for rapid detection of human choriogonadotropin in urine.
abstract: We describe a visual assay for rapid detection of choriogonadotropin (hGC) in human urine, and evaluate a pregnancy test kit that is based on this assay and designed for use by the general public. The assay involves the formation of an antibody-antigen complex between the anti-hGC antibodies coated on the membrane protein of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, prestained with hematoxylin, and the hGC concentrated on a column of Sepharose-concanavalin A. The test was calibrated to detect as little hGC as 0.9 (SD 0.15) int. unit/mL. The kit, clinically tested with 448 urine samples, was 99.6% accurate. Simple to perform, the test gives highly reliable results as early as five days after the missed menstrual period.
mesh_terms: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000276:immunology / Q000652:urine*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D011258:Pregnancy Tests / Q000379:methods*; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic