Abstract A process for the determination of an antigen or hapten in homogeneous aqueous phase by incubation in the presence of antigen- or hapten-specific antibodies and of a definite amount of enzyme-marked antigen or hapten and measurement of the activity of the marker enzyme, wherein, after incubation, the reaction solution is heated under those temperature conditions and for a period of time at which the marker enzyme is inactivated by at least 50% in the absence of the antigen- or hapten-specific antibody and the enzyme activity thereafter measured. Also a reagent for carrying out this process, wherein it contains a definite amount of β-galactosidase-hapten conjugate, hapten antibody, buffer (pH 6.0 to 8.5), a system for the determination of the β-galactosidase activity and optionally a definite amount of β-galactosidase antibody.
In a method for the determination of an antigen or hapten in a homogeneous aqueous phase by incubation of a test sample in the presence of antigen- or hapten-specific antibodies and of a defined amount of enzyme-marked antigen or hapten in a reaction solution and measurement of the activity of the marker enzyme, the improvement consisting of heating the reaction solution, after incubation, at temperature conditions and for a time sufficient to inactivate the marker enzyme by at least 50% in the absence of the antigen- or hapten-specific antibody and measuring the enzyme activity thereafter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
In a method for the determination of an antigen or hapten in a homogeneous aqueous phase by incubation of a test sample in the presence of antigen- or hapten-specific antibodies and of a defined amount of enzyme-marked antigen or hapten in a reaction solution and measurement of the activity of the marker enzyme, the improvement consisting of heating the reaction solution, after incubation, at temperature conditions and for a time sufficient to inactivate the marker enzyme by at least 50% in the absence of the antigen- or hapten-specific antibody and measuring the enzyme activity thereafter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein enzyme-specific antibodies are additionally added for the incubation and the temperature and time conditions of the heating step are such that the marker enzyme is inactivated by at least 50% in the absence of the enzyme-specific antibody.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the marker enzyme is one consisting of at least two subunits.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the marker enzyme is β-galactosidase.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein an antigen is determined.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a hapten is determined.