Abstract: The disclosure relates to an in vitro diagnostic method of screening for immune deficiency in a nephrotic patient comprising administering the presence or absence of the lymphokine, soluble immune response suppressor, in a urine sample of said patient.

Abstract: The reagent is constituted by a suspension of basophil granulocytes bearing specific IgE's, containing from 300 to 1000 basophils per mm.sup.3. This suspension is obtained from a blood sample taken from a human or animal patient, by means of a liquid of density 1.079-1.085. It is deposited in the various wells of a diagnosis read-out slide or the like, for diagnosing parasitoses or allergies. The diagnosis method is applied particularly to worm parasitoses which causes an increase in the circulating specific IgE's. The diagnosis may be carried by using ready-for-use kits.

Abstract: The presence of Group A Streptococcus in a biological specimen is determined from the presence of Streptococcus A antigen. A biological specimen is collected with an applicator having a plastic stick with a rayon swab. The swab is placed in an extraction reagent containing enzymes produced by the bacterium Streptomyces albus, wherein the enzymes release the antigen from the fiber. An aliquot of the extraction medium is mixed with an indicator reagent containing an antibody reactive with the antigen. The occurrence or non-occurrence of an antibody-antigen reaction is noted which indicates the presence or absence of Group A Streptococcus in the biological specimen.

Abstract: A method for the determination of anti-Epstein-Barr Virus antibodies in a test sample comprises contacting a substrate for the anti-Epstein-Barr Virus antibodies with sample; treating the contacted substrate with labeled antihuman Ig antibody selected from (a) a mixture comprising enzyme labeled antihuman Ig antibody and fluorescent labeled antihuman Ig antibody, (b) antihuman Ig antibodies labeled with an enzyme and a fluorescent label, (c) fluorescent labeled antihuman Ig antibody to which enzyme labeled antibody against the animal species from which the antibody used in the fluorescent labeled antibody was derived is subsequently added, and (d) enzyme labeled antihuman Ig antibody to which fluorescent labeled antibody against the animal species from which the antibody used in the enzyme labeled antibody was derived is subsequently added; determining the enzyme activity of the treated substrate; and determining the immunofluorescent patterns in substrates exhibiting enzyme activity.