Abstract: Disclosed are non-histological methods for determining the presence in a sample of a preselected cell type such as a malignant or genetically defective cell, or cell nucleus debris from such cells. The methods involve determination of an intranuclear matrix protein, the mRNA encoding that protein, or matrix protein associated DNA or RNA which acts as a marker for the preselected cell type, the presence of which indicates the presence of the cell type in the test sample. The intranuclear matrix marker protein or nucleotide are detected by hybridization, immunoassay, or other known means.

Abstract: A method for preparing phycobiliprotein/amine-reactive dye conjugates is disclosed in which the conjugates so prepared overcome the energy transfer/fluorescent quenching dilemma encountered in the use of prior art conjugates. A phycobiliprotein, for example, phycoerythrin or allophycocyanin, is conjugated with an amine-reactive dye, for example, Texas Red or carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester, in the presence of a selective salt which causes a hydrophobic intramolecular rearrangement of the phycobiliprotein thereby exposing more hydrophobic sites for binding to the amine-reactive dye. The conjugates prepared according to the invention are useful in multiple color fluorescence assays without requiring the use of multiple exciting sources.

Abstract: The present invention provides an immunohistochemical staining method using improved reagents. In one aspect, the method uses an evaporation inhibitor liquid to prevent evaporation of reagents applied to an assay region of a slide.

Abstract: Immunoadsorbent combinations for the detection and diagnosis of group B streptococcus polysaccharide antigen, comprising an insoluble carrier, a capture agent having an affinity for specifically binding to the trirhamnose epitope of group B streptococcus antigen and having the formula .alpha.-L-Rhap(1.fwdarw.2)-.alpha.-L-Rhap(1.fwdarw.2).alpha.-Rhap- 1- wherein Rhap is rhamnose, and an antigen marker agent having an affinity for binding to monorhamnose epitope of group B streptococcus polysaccharide antigen of formula .alpha.-L-Rhap-1- when the group B streptococcus polysaccharide is bound to the carrier. An immunoassay method test kit and polyclonal antibody are also described.

Abstract: Antigens extracted from one or more serotypes of a Bacteroides microorganism are rapidly and sensitively detected when directly bound to a water-insoluble substrate. The bound antigens are detected by forming an immunological complex on the substrate when the antigen reacts with the appropriate antibody. The antibody-antigen complex can be detected directly or by means of a second antibody which is directed to the Bacteroides antibody. The entire assay can be carried out at room temperature in less than about 15 minutes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antitumor compounds of the formula I: ##STR1## wherein M is selected from the group consisting of an hydrogen atom, a peptide residue, and a protein residue linked to the carbon atom via the amino residue of .epsilon.-lysine present therein which can be an antibody used to target the anti-tumor agent to the malignant cells, and R can be an antitumor agent such as daunorubicin, doxorubicin, or an epirublicin derivative.

Abstract: Vi capsular polysaccharides conjugated to toxin-dependent proteins can be used to enhance antibody response and to convert T-dependent properties to the Vi capsular polysaccharide. A heterobifunctional crosslinking agent can be used to bind thiol derivatives of the Vi capsular polysaccharides to the proteins, such as diphtheria, tetanus toxoids, cholera toxin and Haemophilus influenzae.

Abstract: Antigenic compositions useful in diagnostic testing for the presence of Campylobacter jejuni or Campylobacter coli comprising a PEB1 antigen obtained from Campylobacter jejuni having an apparent molecular weight of about 28 kDa as measured by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions, a molecular weight of 28.9 .+-.1.0 kDa as measured by gel filtration chromatography under native conditions and an isoelectric point of 8.5 or a PEB3 antigen obtained from Campylobacter jejuni having an apparent molecular weight of about 30 kDa as measured by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions and an isoelectric point of greater than 9.3 or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method for detecting the onset or presence of Lyme disease in a mammal, which comprises isolating a biological sample from the mammal, isolating from said biological sample any circulating immune complexes suspected to contain antibody reactive to Borrelia burgdorferi, dissociating the immune complexes so isolated, and examining the dissociated immune complexes for the presence of antibody. The present method offers a simple and reliable means for detecting Borrelia antibodies. Test kits and related methodology are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of detecting a target moiety comprising the steps of (a) providing an antibody specific to the target, (b) saturating the binding sites of the antibody with a labelled form of the target, (c) flowing a liquid containing the target past the saturated antibody, thereby (d) allowing the target to displace the labelled antigen, and (e) detecting the displaced labelled antigen with a detector for the label.

Abstract: Modified proteins for carrying hapten are provided. These carriers are prepared by blocking the amino groups of the original protein and then introducing amino groups into the carboxyl groups of the original protein. The blocking groups may be eliminated at the later stage to regenerate the amino groups of the original protein. The modified protein or polypeptide carrier have the three-dimensional structures different from the original proteins so that they are used in immunoassay while carrying low molecular weight haptens without the fear of forming antibodies for the original proteins. The modified protein carrier may also be used in the passive agglutination immunoassay without the need of absorbing the anti-hapten antibodies by the hapten-carrying carriers.

Abstract: For the detection of compounds containing carbohydrate the compound to be detected is reacted with a conjugate which contains a group which enables a specific binding to the substance to be detected and contains a hapten with a molecular weight from 300 to 1200, afterwards the complex formed is brought into contact with labelled antibodies directed against the hapten and the label is determined in a known way.

Abstract: A plasmid which contains a genetic code for an immunogenic portion which is conserved in many strains of nontypable Haemophilus influenzae and the bacterium containing this plasmid is disclosed. The immunogenic portion is preferably an epitope on an outer membrane protein of H. influenzae. A monoclonal antibody to the immunogenic portion and the hybridoma which will produce the monoclonal antibody is also included. The invention further includes a DNA probe constructed to correspond to the nucleic acids which code for the immunogenic portion. This probe may be labelled with a radioactive marker and may be used as a diagnostic tool to assay various clinical samples for the presence of H. influenzae.

Abstract: Immunodiagnostic assays for the detection and determination of mastitis and sub-chemical mastitis comprise capturing neutrophils or fragments or soluble products thereof in a milk sample on an insolubilized form of a corresponding antibody, optionally using conditions whereby the cells in the milk sample are lysed. Monoclonal antibodies are provided which can be used in said assays and which are specific to neutrophils.

Abstract: A method for determining the adequacy of a cervical or urethral test specimen collected for an immunological assay to detect the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis. Cells present in the specimen are disrupted to expose a substance present in or on C. triachomatis that is detectable by immunological reaction. In order to determine if the test specimen contains an adequate amount of the cervical or urethral cell type that serves as a host cell for C. trachomatis, the disrupted specimen is also reacted with an immunological reagent that produces a detectable complex upon specific binding with a substance present in or on columnar epithelial cells. The present invention therefore provides a control reaction that verifies the adequacy of the collected test specimen and thereby increases the confidence that a negative test result for the presence of Chlamydia indicates the absence of a C. trachomatis infection in the patient.

Abstract: Immunoreagents for the release, non-specific capture and detection of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) that may be diagnostic for microorganisms causative for, among other things, Chlamydia trachomatis or Chlamydia psittaci are described.

Abstract: Herpes simplex viral antigen can be readily determined by contacting a specimen containing Herpes simplex virus of herpes simplex viral-infected cells with polymeric particles which have a surface area of from about 0.1 to about 600 m.sup.2 /g. Within a few minutes of this contact, antigen which is bound to the particles is contacted with antibodies thereto so as to form an immunological complex on the particles. Bound complex is separated from uncomplexed materials, and the presence of the complex is then appropriately determined. A kit for determining herpes comprises the particles described above, a disposable test device having a microporous membrane and antibodies to herpes simplex viral antigen.

Abstract: Basement membrane proteins are isolated as functioning proteins in relatively large amounts from human or animal tissues in aqueous solution in the presence of a chelating agent. It is possible to use these proteins to obtain highly specific antibodies which are used for the immunological determination of these proteins.

Abstract: Polypeptide arrays can be synthesized on a substrate by attaching photoremovable groups to the surface of a substrate, exposing selected regions of the substrate to light to activate those regions, attaching an amino acid monomer with a photoremovable group to the activated regions, and repeating the steps of activation and attachment until polypeptides of the desired length and sequences are synthesized. The resulting array can be used to determine which peptides on the array can bind to a receptor.

Abstract: An assay method is provided to quickly detect the presence of Listeria strains in samples, characterized by the use of antibodies to selectively capture the peptidoglycan and teichoic acid components of the listeriae bacterial cell wall.

Abstract: A precipitation reagent for use in analytical systems for the determination of hydrophobic analytes in a biological test sample, particularly analytical systems employing specific binding proteins for such analytes. The precipitation reagent precipitates interfering proteins, hemoglobin, and other interfering substances from a biological test sample while, at the same, maintaining hydrophobic analytes in solution and minimizing the denaturation of specific binding proteins, such as, for example, antibodies, which may be present in an immunoassay system. The precipitation reagent comprises a zinc salt, a glycol, and a straight or branced alcohol from about 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and may optionally contain an acid. A preferred precipitation reagent comprises zinc sulfate, methanol and ethylene glycol, and is particularly useful in a fluorescent polarization immunoassay for the determination of hydrophobic analytes, especially cyclosporine.

Abstract: A quantitative immunoassay for a beta-lactam antibiotic in a sample, which may contain open and closed ring forms of the antibiotic, is disclosed. Closed-ring forms of the antibiotic in the sample are converted to open-ring protein conjugates and detected through immunospecific reaction with antibodies raised against the open-ring protein conjugate form of the beta-lactam antibiotic.

Abstract: A method for the liberation of polysaccharide antigens from bacteria or fungi in biological probes or in grown cultures of these probes is described. In the majority of cases such a liberation is necessary in order that subsequently the polysaccharide antigens can be determined immunologically in a manner known per se. This liberation is effected by treating the biological probe or the grown culture with an aqueous phenol solution. A 1-10% phenol solution is conveniently used, with a 2.5% phenol solution being preferred and a 2% phenol solution being especially preferred. The phenol solution is allowed to act on the probe or culture for 5-30%, preferably 15, minutes. No extraction is necessary for the subsequent immunological determination of the polysaccharides.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method for producing a substrate useful in a system for the detection of antibodies directed against platelet antigens. This method comprises several steps. A platelet sample of interest is initially treated with an aqueous solution comprising a dialyzable nonionic detergent. This initial treatment is under conditions to solubilize platelet components and produce a platelet lysate. Such conditions may involve treatment of a platelet sample with an aqueous solution comprising nonionic detergent at a concentration between about 0.2% and about 0.5%. Platelet antigens are most preferably solubilized for about 30 min and at about 0.degree. C. in an aqueous solution comprising about 1 mg dialyzable nonionic detergent per mg platelet protein.The partially purified platelet antigens resulting from these manipulations are then preferably affixed to a solid matrix.

Abstract: The invention concerns an immunological detection process, with which triazines and structurally similar compounds and/or biologically equivalent compounds with similar bonding behavior are detected as belonging to one activity class, but with which on the other hand it is possible to identify the individual substances even in complicated mixtures.

Abstract: An extraction composition has been found useful for extracting antigen from herpes simplex virus. This composition has a pH of from about 8.5 to about 12, and comprises an alcoholamine or salt thereof, a nonionic surfactant comprised of a condensation product of an alkylphenol and ethylene oxide, cholic acid or a salt or derivative thereof and an anionic surfactant. Extraction of antigen is accomplished by contacting the extraction composition with a specimen suspected of containing herpes organisms under suitable conditions. Extracted antigen can be determined by forming an immunological complex with antibodies thereto and by detecting that complex. The extraction composition can be supplied as part of a diagnostic test kit.

Abstract: A method for detecting pathogen infection in a host is provided. The method comprises lysing phagocytes from the host to release soluble components of the pathogen which are detected subsequently using a specific binding assay.

Abstract: A method is provided for combining normally interacting reagents in a liquid single reagent and preventing complex formation using a surfactant and then reversing the inhibition by adding a cyclodextrin. The method finds particular use in diagnostic immunoassays. Reagents facilitating the invention are also provided.

Abstract: A method for drying mammalian cells, such as erythrocytes, lymphocytes, leukocytes and platelets onto a solid-phase support for use in solid-phase immunoassays through use of a drying solution and an article for use in immunoassays prepared by such method. The method comprises immobilizing a monolayer of cells onto the solid-phase support by non-covalent binding. This is accomplished by staining the solid-phase support with an organic dye having a net positive charge which permits non-covalent binding of the cells which carry a net negative charge to the solid-phase support. These cells are dried or fixed to the solid-phase support by addition of a drying solution which comprises an aqueous solution of a monosaccharide, disaccharide, trisaccharide or cyclitol and a salt. The preferred monosaccharide is D-(31 )glucose and the preferred salt is sodium chloride. The preferred drying solution comprises a 1.0M solution of dextrose and a 154 mM solution of sodium chloride.

Abstract: The present invention provides hapten derivatives of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein Hap is a residue formed from a hapten carrying a keto or aldehyde group by splitting off an oxo group and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, which can be the same or different, are alkyl radicals containing up to 7 carbon atoms and one of the symbols R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 can also represent a hydrogen atom.The present invention also provides hapten-protein conjugates of the general formula: ##STR2## wherein Hap, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 have the above-given meanings and E--NH is the residue of a protein bound via an .epsilon.-amino group of a lysine residue.

Abstract: A test kit useful for the determination of Streptococcus A antigen comprises: (i) an immunoreactive reagent comprising either Streptococcus A antigen or antibodies attached to water-insoluble particles, (ii) a substrate having thereon a dried, binder-free coating of a first extraction reagent, (iii) an aqueous solution of a second extraction reagent, and (iv) a neutralizing solution. Both extraction reagents combine to provide nitrous acid. In addition, an extraction device includes a water-insoluble container having affixed therein the first extraction reagent and an applicator means for collecting and depositing a biological specimen within the container. The extraction device and test kit are useful to the determination of Streptococcus A antigen in a biological specimen.