Application of fluorescein copolymer to improve the efficiency of counter-immunoelectrophoresis for diagnostics of animal infectious diseases

Abstract

The counter-immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) is a highly specific, simple and rapid method, which does not require expensive equipment, input materials and long-term staff training as compared with other express methods of viral infections diagnostic. Despite the CIE high informativeness, the results in practice can be doubtful at times. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to improve CIE method by strengthening the antigen-antibody interaction with the use of synthesized amphiphilic fluorescein-containing copolymer. It was demonstrated that the use of the fluorescein copolymer -antigen complex enhanced the interaction with serum/plasma antibodies of rabbits immunized against hemorrhagic disease and increased protein content in the area of precipitation. This effect was more pronounced when more hydrophobic copolymer containing 5.87% fluorescein was introduced into the complex with antigen. The ability of the amphiphilic fluorescein copolymer to enhance the antigen-antibody interaction and the ability to visualize the fluorescent precipitation zone may increase CIE effectiveness for express diagnostic of infectious diseases.

Keywords

• counter-immunoelectrophoresis
• amphiphilic fluorescein copolymer
• rapid diagnostics
• rabbit hemorrhagic disease