title: AGAR-GEL PRECIPITIN TECHNIQUE IN ANTHRAX ANTIBODY DETERMINATIONS.
abstract: A modification of the agar-gel precipitation inhibition technique of Thorne and Belton for detecting anthrax antibodies reduces inconsistency of visually determined end points on the same sera observed by different technicians. Determination of the minimal reacting concentrations of the anthrax antigen and antibody reagents, modifications of the visualization apparatus, methods for combining reagents, and length of incubation periods contribute to the ease of the end-point determinations and the uniformity of results. When compared with the previous technique, the modified procedure is less time-consuming while retaining satisfactory reproducibility, simplicity, specificity, and sensitivity.
mesh_terms: D000362:Agar; D000881:Anthrax; D000906:Antibodies; D001408:Bacillus anthracis; D003470:Culture Media; D007106:Immune Sera; D005779:Immunodiffusion; D011233:Precipitin Tests; D011234:Precipitins; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012106:Research
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D003470:Culture Media; D007106:Immune Sera; D011234:Precipitins; D000362:Agar
keywords: BACILLUS ANTHRACIS; CULTURE MEDIA; EXPERIMENTAL LAB STUDY; GEL DIFFUSION TESTS; IMMUNE SERUMS; PRECIPITIN TESTS