Abstract: An aqueous solution containing a buffer and an organosilicone surfactant and a method of applying an aqueous solution containing a buffer and an organosilicone surfactant to a channel are presented. The aqueous solution includes a buffer and an organosilicone surfactant and may also include a blocking agent. The method includes providing an aqueous solution containing a buffer and an organosilicone surfactant, and applying the aqueous solution to the channel having the hydrophobic surfaces. The organosilicone surfactant is used to reduce surface tensions of the solution on the hydrophobic channel. The organosilicone surfactant is combined with the blocking agent for preventing an interaction between the surface of the channel and a component in the aqueous solution.

Abstract: An aqueous solution containing a buffer and an organosilicone surfactant and a method of applying an aqueous solution containing a buffer and an organosilicone surfactant to a channel are presented. The aqueous solution includes a buffer and an organosilicone surfactant and may also include a blocking agent. The method includes providing an aqueous solution containing a buffer and an organosilicone surfactant, and applying the aqueous solution to the channel having the hydrophobic surfaces. The organosilicone surfactant is used to reduce surface tensions of the solution on the hydrophobic channel. The organosilicone surfactant is combined with the blocking agent for preventing an interaction between the surface of the channel and a component in the aqueous solution.

Abstract: Diluent and wash compositions are useful in a rapid and sensitive assay for detecting antibodies, and especially retroviral antibodies, in a biological specimen. The diluent composition is buffered to a pH of 6 to 10 and includes a protein or carbohydrate, a surfactant and a negatively-charged organic compound. The wash composition is buffered to a pH of 5 to 10 and includes a surfactant. These compositions can be included in a diagnostic kit. The method of this invention includes mixing the biological specimen with the diluent composition, forming an immunological complex between ligand and antibodies in the specimen and separating complexed materials from uncomplexed materials using a filtration membrane and a washing step. An enzyme labeled anti-antibody is added to form a ligand-antibody-antibody complex followed by its detection using suitable reagents.