Abstract: A device is described for expressing liquid absorbed by the tip of a medical swab. The device comprises a barrel and a plunger slidable within the barrel for squeezing the tip of the swab. Liquid is discharged through a flow channel in the container or in the swab shaft. The device is useful particularly to recover small volumes of swab-absorbed liquid where necessary e.g. to carry out clinical essays.

Abstract: Rabbit-mouse hybridomas are cultured immediately after fusion in a suspension medium supplemented with normal rabbit serum. This results in stable hybridomas and provides a source of intact rabbit monoclonal antibody immunoglobulin of defined specificity. A hybridoma which secretes intact rabbit antibody specific for Group A Streptococcus is exemplified. Diagnostic compositions and test kits containing rabbit monoclonal antibodies produced from such hybridomas are described.This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/189,754, filed May 3, 1988, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.: 046,439, filed May 4, 1987, now abandoned.

Abstract: The device has a transparent capillary assay tube attached at its upper end to a lateral portion of the support structure of the device. The lower free end of the assay tube is engageable with an absorbent material upon manual downward deflection of the support structure. The assay tube is filled through a funnel shaped aperture in the lateral portion of the device, and the tube is drained by engaging the lower free end of the tube with the absorbent material. By attaching appropriate antibody, antigen or hapten to the inner surface of the tube, immunoassays may be performed in the tube.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vaccine for canine heartworm. The invention further relates to a diagnostic test capable of discerning the presence of the canine heartworm parasite even in occult infections. The invention discloses kits and test strips suitable for diagnosing canine heartworm infections.