Enterovirus Immunodiffusion Reactions: A Comparison of Results Obtained in Agarose and Agar Using Two Different Microdiffusion Systems

[摘要] Two different microdiffusion systems and agar and agarose gels were compared for suitability in immunodiffusion reactions with certain enterovirus types (coxsackievirus type B2 and echovirus type 9) which had given poor resolution in previous immunodiffusion studies. The use of agarose, rather than agar, gels facilitated diffusion of these antigens and permitted resolution of two or more antigen-antibody systems. The “chamber” technique, employing a plastic template over a thin layer of gel, was more sensitive for immunodiffusion tests with these virus types than was the “slide” technique utilizing a thicker layer of gel. Results of tests with echovirus type 9 antigen in an agarose gel suggested the existence in human and monkey sera of “group” antibodies reacting with this antigen type. No “group” reactivity was noted with the other echovirus antigens studied. Guanidine treatment (3.4 molar) abolished precipitating activity of coxsackievirus antigens, but not of echovirus types 9 and 11 antigens, although the “group” reactivity of echovirus type 9 antigen was destroyed by treatment with 4.6 M guanidine.

[学科分类] 生物科学（综合）