DIAGNOSTIC AGENT, A PROCESS FOR ITS PREPARATION AND ITS USE IN DIAGNOSTIC METHODS

摘要

A process for 'unmasking' delta antigen in the blood of an animal, known or caused to be infected with the antigen. The process involves treating serum from the animal with a surfactant and optionally with an antibody-antigen dissociating agent. The blood derived delta antigen is used as a diagnostic agent in the detection and determination of different classes of antibodies to hepatitis D. virus (delta agent) by enzyme-immunoassay and radio-immunoassay.