An agglutination assay using emulsified oils.

Dispersed fluorocarbon oil droplets were used as the antigen-carrier particle in an immunological agglutination assay. The extent of agglutination was found to vary with the percentage of antigen to that of inert protein used in the solution to coat and stabilize the oil droplets. Maximum sensitivity was observed when 6.25% of the protein adsorbed on the oil droplets was specific antigen. At this percentage, antibodies were detected at concentrations as low as 0.10 micrograms/ml. Results were obtained by visual examination of the reacted samples as well as with quantitative computer analysis using the Zeiss IBAS image analysis system.