Immunodiffusion
Immunodiffusion | |
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MeSH | D005779 |
Immunodiffusion is a laboratory technique used to detect and quantify antigens and antibodies by observing their interactions within a gel medium.[1] This technique involves the diffusion of antigens and antibodies through a gel, usually agar, resulting in the formation of a visible precipitate when they interact.[1][2]
Applications
[edit]Immunodiffusion techniques are widely used in immunology for various purposes, including:[1][2]
- Determining antigen content
- Identifying immunoglobulin classes
- Evaluating antibodies
- Estimating serum transferrin and alpha-fetoprotein levels
- Comparing properties of different antigens
Types of Immunodiffusion
[edit]Single Immunodiffusion (Radial Immunodiffusion)
[edit]In this method, antibodies are uniformly distributed in an agar gel, and the antigen sample is placed in wells cut into the gel. As the antigen diffuses radially, it forms a precipitation ring with the antibody. The diameter of this ring corresponds to the concentration of the antigen in the solution.[3][2]
Double Immunodiffusion (Ouchterlony Technique)
[edit]This method involves both antigen and antibody diffusing through the gel from separate wells, forming precipitation lines where they meet and react.[4]
Other types
[edit]- Single diffusion in one dimension (Oudin procedure)
- Double diffusion in one dimension (Oakley Fulthorpe procedure)
Advantages
[edit]- Cost-Effective: Immunodiffusion assays are relatively inexpensive compared to other immunoassays.
- Reliable and Reproducible: Provide consistent and reproducible results, making them suitable for routine diagnostic use.[1]
Limitations
[edit]- Time-Consuming: The diffusion process can take several hours to days to complete.
- Sensitivity: While specific, the sensitivity of immunodiffusion may be lower compared to other methods like ELISA.[5]
Notes
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Immunodiffusion - Protocol & Troubleshooting - Creative Biolabs". www.creativebiolabs.net. Retrieved 2024-07-25.
- ^ a b c Aryal, Sagar (2022-07-04). "Radial Immunodiffusion- Principle, Procedure, Results, Uses". microbenotes.com. Retrieved 2024-07-25.
- ^ "Radial Immunodiffusion". Edvotek, Inc. 2017. Archived from the original (photograph) on 2017-08-07. Retrieved 2017-08-07. Photograph of precipitin circles in a Petri dish during radial immunodiffusion.
- ^ "Diffusion Patterns". Immunodiffusion principles and application. Archived from the original on 2019-12-11. Retrieved 2017-05-19. Photographs of Ouchterlony immunodiffusion patterns showing stained precipitin lines of full identity, partial identity and non-identity.
- ^ Mujtaba, Mustafa G.; Baliban, Tara; Bhagu, Jamini; Herrera, Michael. "A Laboratory Exercise Simulating Antibody and Antigen Reactions of the Ouchterlony Double Immunodiffusion Assay Using Inorganic Salts". Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education. 22 (2): e00103–21. doi:10.1128/jmbe.00103-21. ISSN 1935-7877. PMC 8442017. PMID 34594450.
External links
[edit]- Immunodiffusion at the U.S. National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)