title: A rapid and sensitive ELISA for serum ferritin employing a fluorogenic substrate.
abstract: A fluorescent enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is described for the rapid measurement of serum ferritin. Increased sensitivity was achieved by using 4-methyl-umbelliferyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside as the substrate for beta-galactosidase coupled to the purified antiferritin antibody. Further enhancement of the specific antigen-antibody reaction was attained by the addition of 4% polyethylene glycol 6000 to the antiferritin-beta-galactosidase conjugate. The procedure is performed in microELISA plates. These modifications of the method permit the measurement of serum ferritin at concentrations ranging from 0.25 to 50 microgram/liter with a coefficient of variation of 8% or less. The entire procedure is performed at ambient temperature and is completed within one working day. The cost of the assay is less than 10% of the immunoradiometric assay for serum ferritin.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D005697:Galactosides; D006801:Humans; D006923:Hymecromone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D007106:Immune Sera / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D013154:Spleen / Q000032:analysis; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005697:Galactosides; D007106:Immune Sera; D006923:Hymecromone; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C026845:4-methylumbelliferyl-galactopyranoside; D005293:Ferritins; D001616:beta-Galactosidase