A precipitin is an antibody which can precipitate out of a solution upon antigen binding. [1]
The precipitin reaction provided the first quantitative assay for antibody. The precipitin reaction is based upon the interaction of antigen with antibody leading to the production of antigen-antibody complexes.
To produce a precipitin reaction, varying amounts of soluble antigen are added to a fixed amount of serum containing antibody. As the amount of antigen added:
The small, soluble immune complexes formed in vivo in the zone of antigen excess can cause a variety of pathological syndromes.
Antibody can only precipitate antigenic substrates that are multivalent—that is, only antigens that have multiple antibody-binding sites epitopes. This allows for the formation of large antigen:antibody complexes.
Precipitin assays are commonly used in the diagnosis of infectious diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. By detecting the presence of pathogen-specific antigens in patient samples, healthcare professionals can identify the causing agent of an infection and initiate appropriate treatment. [2] For example, precipitin tests can be used to detect antigens of infectious bronchitis caused by the infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). [2]
Precipitin assays are used in allergy testing to identify allergen-specific antibodies (IgE) in patient serum samples. [3] By exposing the serum to a panel of common allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and food proteins, healthcare professionals can determine the specific allergens triggering an individual's allergic reactions. [3]
A precipitin is an antibody which can precipitate out of a solution upon antigen binding. [1]
The precipitin reaction provided the first quantitative assay for antibody. The precipitin reaction is based upon the interaction of antigen with antibody leading to the production of antigen-antibody complexes.
To produce a precipitin reaction, varying amounts of soluble antigen are added to a fixed amount of serum containing antibody. As the amount of antigen added:
The small, soluble immune complexes formed in vivo in the zone of antigen excess can cause a variety of pathological syndromes.
Antibody can only precipitate antigenic substrates that are multivalent—that is, only antigens that have multiple antibody-binding sites epitopes. This allows for the formation of large antigen:antibody complexes.
Precipitin assays are commonly used in the diagnosis of infectious diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. By detecting the presence of pathogen-specific antigens in patient samples, healthcare professionals can identify the causing agent of an infection and initiate appropriate treatment. [2] For example, precipitin tests can be used to detect antigens of infectious bronchitis caused by the infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). [2]
Precipitin assays are used in allergy testing to identify allergen-specific antibodies (IgE) in patient serum samples. [3] By exposing the serum to a panel of common allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and food proteins, healthcare professionals can determine the specific allergens triggering an individual's allergic reactions. [3]