title: Stable reagent for the detection of antibody to the specific fraction I antigen of Yersinia pestis.
abstract: A stable hemagglutinating antigen for detection of fraction I (FR-I) antibody of Yersinia pestis (Pasteurella pestis) is described. The antigen was prepared by sensitizing tanned, pyruvaldehyde-treated sheep erythrocytes (PAT SRBC) with FR-I antigen. Preliminary standardization by titration of each lot of FR-I was required to minimize the effect of molecular heterogeneity of specific FR-I antigen and to eliminate nonspecific reactions caused by the presence of a minor antigenic contaminant. In tests with sera from rabbits, dogs, and humans, FR-I PAT SRBC were as reactive as the previously employed standard antigen, FR-I-sensitized tanned erythrocytes. Fluid suspensions of FR-I PAT SRBC stored at 4 C for 3 months, or lyophilized preparations stored at ambient temperature for 6 months, showed no loss in antigenic activity.
mesh_terms: D000447:Aldehydes; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D000937:Antigen-Antibody Reactions; D000941:Antigens / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001793:Blood Preservation; D004285:Dogs / Q000276:immunology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005612:Freeze Drying; D006386:Hemagglutination Tests / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007106:Immune Sera; D007120:Immunochemistry; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D010930:Plague / Q000276:immunology; D011817:Rabbits / Q000276:immunology; D012756:Sheep / Q000276:immunology; D013634:Tannins; D013997:Time Factors; D015010:Yersinia pestis / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000447:Aldehydes; D000906:Antibodies; D000941:Antigens; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D007106:Immune Sera; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D013634:Tannins