III. Definitions
IV. Mechanism
- Electrophoresis may be used in advance of precipitation (Immunoelectrophoresis)
- See Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPEP)
- Separates Proteins via gel electrophoresis
- Proteins are then selectively used in precipitation testing
- Precipitates specific Antigen or Antibody (precipitan) with its corresponding Antibody or Antigen
- Performed in test tube (e.g. cellulose acetate) or on agarose or agar diffusion plate
- Antibody-Antigen Precipitant becomes measurable within medium
- Agar Gel Immunodiffusion
- Double immunodiffusion (e.g. Ouchterlony Qualitative Immunodiffusion)
- Radial Immunodiffusion (e.g. Mancini method)
- Electroimmunodiffusion
- Test Tube Precipitant in Solution (Quantified by spectrophotometer techniques)
- Immunoturbidimetry (absorption of light by precipitant is measured)
- Immunonephelometry (reflection of light by precipitant is measured)
V. Disadvantages
- Lower Test Sensitivity compared with Agglutination Tests
VI. Resources
- Immunoprecipitation (Wikipedia)
VII. References
- Deshmukh (2019) Eur J Pharm Med Res 7(2):214-16