ABSTRACT
A modified immunoradiometry assay (IRMA) using tritiated (3H) protein A was developed to estimate anti-D concentration. The main advantages of the assay were longer shelf life of the labelled reagent (more than two years); minimum radiation hazard and; low non specific binding. Levels of anti-D were estimated in 23 Rh (D) immunised women. A good correlation of anti-D concentration (micrograms/ml) with Rh antibody titre was observed (r = +0.89, P < 0.01). Anti-D concentration estimated by 3H protein A IRMA correlated well with the severity of Rh-HDN. This assay could quantitate anti-D in sera having exclusively IgG3 subtype.
Subject(s)
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Female , Humans , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Immunoradiometric Assay , Isoantibodies/blood , Rh Isoimmunization , Rh-Hr Blood-Group System/immunology , Staphylococcal Protein A/diagnosis , Tritium/diagnosisABSTRACT
12 untreated lepromatous leprosy patients were screened for primary dapsone resistance by the uptake of labelled thymidine by macrophage resident M. leprae. There were found to harbour primary dapsone resistant strains of M. leprae and another three partially resistant strains to the drug. This rapid, simple and reliable method should be used routinely to screen leprosy patients, for drug resistance.