Automated complement fixation with low reagent consumption.
A microvolume automated (continuous-flow) system for the detection of complement-fixing antigen or antibody was evaluated. The model complement fixation test used was the detection of deoxyribonucleic acid antibody, and comparisons were made with a manual procedure. An "automatic two-dilution" feature of the apparatus was not used because of the clinical need for antibody titers. The system proved useful for the detection and estimation of anti-deoxyribonucleic acid antibody in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and, indeed, accomplished this with low reagent consumption, a useful feature not available in "older" continuous-flow complement fixation systems.
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D001322:Autoanalysis; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D002417:Cattle; D003168:Complement Fixation Tests / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003165:Complement System Proteins; D004247:DNA; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006168:Guinea Pigs / Q000276:immunology; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology*; D008722:Methods; D011379:Prognosis; D012698:Serologic Tests; D012756:Sheep / Q000276:immunology; D013950:Thymus Gland
D000906:Antibodies; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D003165:Complement System Proteins; D004247:DNA