Abstract: Provided are an additive and a surface treatment agent capable of suppressing agglutination of latex particles contained in a reagent for a latex agglutination reaction during storage of the reagent although a synthetic polymer is contained as an active component. An additive is to be added to latex particles used in a reagent for a latex agglutination reaction. The latex particles have not been subjected to blocking treatment. The additive includes a polymer containing more than 60% by mass and 99% by mass or less of hydrophilic repeating units (A) relative to all repeating units and 1% by mass or more and less than 40% by mass of hydrophobic repeating units (B) relative to all repeating units, and having a weight average molecular weight of 3,000 or more.

Abstract: Provided are an additive and a surface treatment agent capable of suppressing agglutination of latex particles contained in a reagent for a latex agglutination reaction during storage of the reagent although a synthetic polymer is contained as an active component. An additive is to be added to latex particles used in a reagent for a latex agglutination reaction. The latex particles have not been subjected to blocking treatment. The additive includes a polymer containing more than 60% by mass and 99% by mass or less of hydrophilic repeating units (A) relative to all repeating units and 1% by mass or more and less than 40% by mass of hydrophobic repeating units (B) relative to all repeating units, and having a weight average molecular weight of 3,000 or more.

Abstract: Provided are an additive and a surface treatment agent capable of suppressing agglutination of latex particles contained in a reagent for a latex agglutination reaction during storage of the reagent although a synthetic polymer is contained as an active component. An additive is to be added to latex particles used in a reagent for a latex agglutination reaction. The latex particles have not been subjected to blocking treatment. The additive includes a polymer containing more than 60% by mass and 99% by mass or less of hydrophilic repeating units (A) relative to all repeating units and 1% by mass or more and less than 40% by mass of hydrophobic repeating units (B) relative to all repeating units, and having a weight average molecular weight of 3,000 or more.

Abstract: A process for producing polymer particles having an antigen or an antibody introduced into the surface thereof, by carrying out miniemulsion polymerization using a monomer, a radical polymerization initiator, an emulsifier, and a hydrophobe in the presence of the antigen or antibody to thereby produce the polymer particles, is disclosed. According to the process, it is possible to provide a reagent for immunological analysis having an excellent detection sensitivity and capable of avoiding a nonspecific reaction which occurs in conventional methods.

Abstract: A process for producing polymer particles having an antigen or an antibody introduced into the surface thereof, by carrying out miniemulsion polymerization using a monomer, a radical polymerization initiator, an emulsifier, and a hydrophobe in the presence of the antigen or antibody to thereby produce the polymer particles, is disclosed. According to the process, it is possible to provide a reagent for immunological analysis having an excellent detection sensitivity and capable of avoiding a nonspecific reaction which occurs in conventional methods.

Abstract: A reagent for immunological analysis, comprising a suspension of latex particles having an antigen or an antibody specific for a substance to be analyzed introduced into the surface of the latex particles, produced by polymerizing a monomer in the presence of the antigen or antibody to thereby synthesize the latex particles; and a method for immunological analysis, comprising the step of bringing, in a liquid, (1) a sample suspected of containing a substance to be analyzed, into contact with (2) latex particles having an antigen or an antibody specific for the substance introduced into the surface of the latex particles, produced by polymerizing a monomer in the presence of the antigen or antibody to thereby synthesize the latex particles; are disclosed. The reagent and the method have an excellent detection sensitivity, and can avoid a nonspecific reaction which occurs in conventional methods.

Abstract: An immunological latex turbidimetry method for analyzing an antigen or antibody in a sample, comprising the steps of: (1) bringing a sample which may contain the antigen or antibody to be analyzed into contact with a protease-treated albumin; and (2) bringing a mixture obtained in the above step (1) into contact with latex particles carrying an antibody or antigen specifically reacting with the antigen or antibody to be assayed, and analyzing a turbidity caused by a latex agglutination reaction, is disclosed. Further, an immunological latex turbidimetry reagent comprising (1) a first component containing a protease-treated albumin, and (2) a second component containing latex particles carrying an antibody or antigen specifically reacting with an antigen or antibody to be assayed is also disclosed.

Abstract: A latex reagent for analyzing adiponectin, comprising a suspension of latex particles carrying a substance which specifically binds to adiponectin, is disclosed. Further, a method for analyzing adiponectin, comprising (1) obtaining a biological liquid possibly containing adiponectin, and (2) bringing the biological liquid, while maintaining the state in which the biological liquid is obtained, into contact with a suspension of latex particles carrying a substance which specifically binds to adiponectin, and optically analyzing a degree of latex-particles-agglutination, is disclosed. According to the latex reagent and the method for analyzing adiponectin, a predilution or pretreatment of the biological liquid to be analyzed is not necessary. Further, the analysis can be performed rapidly and conveniently, and facilities therefor are not limited.

Abstract: An immunological latex turbidimetry method for analyzing an antigen or antibody in a sample, comprising steps of: (1) bringing a sample which may contain the antigen or antibody to be analyzed into contact with a protease-treated albumin; and (2) bringing a mixture obtained in the above step (1) into contact with latex particles carrying an antibody or antigen specifically reacting with the antigen or antibody to be assayed, and analyzing a turbidity caused by a latex agglutination reaction, is disclosed. Further, an immunological latex turbidimetry reagent comprising (1) a first component containing a protease-treated albumin, and (2) a second component containing latex particles carrying an antibody or antigen specifically reacting with an antigen or antibody to be assayed is also disclosed.

Abstract: An immunological latex turbidimetry method for analyzing an antigen or antibody in a sample is disclosed, comprising steps of (1) bringing a sample which may contain the antigen or antibody to be analyzed into contact with a protease-treated albumin, and (2) bringing a mixture obtained in the above step (1) into contact with latex particles carrying an antibody or antigen specifically reacting with the antigen or antibody to be assayed, and analyzing a turbidity caused by a latex agglutination reaction. Also disclosed is an immunological latex turbidimetry reagent comprising (1) a first component containing a protease-treated albumin, and (2) a second component containing latex particles carrying an antibody or antigen specifically reacting with an antigen or antibody to be assayed.

Abstract: A latex reagent for analyzing adiponectin, comprising a suspension of latex particles carrying a substance which specifically binds to adiponectin, is disclosed. Further, a method for analyzing adiponectin, comprising (1) obtaining a biological liquid possibly containing adiponectin, and (2) bringing the biological liquid, while maintaining the state in which the biological liquid is obtained, into contact with a suspension of latex particles carrying a substance which specifically binds to adiponectin, and optically analyzing a degree of latex-particles-agglutination, is disclosed. According to the latex reagent and the method for analyzing adiponectin, a predilution or pretreatment of the biological liquid to be analyzed is not necessary. Further, the analysis can be performed rapidly and conveniently, and facilities therefor are not limited.

Abstract: An immunological analyzing reagent comprising a composition containing a biotin-conjugated antigen or antibody against a substance to be analyzed, and a composition containing an avidin-conjugated microparticle, wherein the biotin-conjugated antigen or antibody contains an amount of biotin which does not substantially agglutinate with the avidin-conjugated microparticle in the absence of the substance to be analyzed, is disclosed.

Abstract: A reagent for an immunological analysis of elastase 1, comprising two kinds of latex particles having different particle sizes wherein the latex particles carry two kinds of monoclonal antibodies having different specificities for elastase 1, is disclosed.

Abstract: An immunological latex turbidimetry method for analyzing an antigen or antibody in a sample, comprising steps of: