What is Ouchterlony method?
The Ouchterlony immunodiffusion assay, developed by the Swedish physician Örjan Ouchterlony, is used for the detection of antigens and antibodies and determination of homologies between antigens (1, 2).
What is a reaction of non identity?
A reaction of non- identity occurs when the antiserum contains antibodies to both antigens but the two antigens do not share a common determinant. The two-precipitin lines are formed independently with different antibody molecules and cross without interaction (Fig.
How does the Ouchterlony test work?
The method can be conducted in parallel with multiple wells filled with different antigen mixtures and multiple wells with different antibodies or mixtures of antibodies, and antigen-antibody reactivity can be seen by observing between which wells the precipitate is observed.
What is Ouchterlony diffusion and give its principle?
This procedure was developed by Örjan Ouchterlony. Principle: When soluble antigen and antibody samples are placed in adjacent wells in agarose gel, they diffuse radially into the agarose gel and set up two opposing concentration gradients between the wells.
Why is Ouchterlony important?
It is useful for the analysis of antigens and antibodies. It is used in the detection, identification, and quantification of antibodies and antigens, such as immunoglobulins and extractable nuclear antigens.
Is Ouchterlony qualitative or quantitative?
The Ouchterlony test is a qualitative test that is used to analyze the components in mixtures of antigens or antibodies.
Why is Ouchterlony called double diffusion?
Double diffusion in two dimensions It is more commonly known as Ouchterlony double diffusion or passive double immunodiffusion. In this method, both the antigen and antibody diffuse independently through agar gel in two dimensions, horizontally and vertically.
What are different types of immunodiffusion reaction?
The commonly known types are: Single diffusion in one dimension (Oudin procedure) Double diffusion in one dimension (Oakley Fulthorpe procedure) Single diffusion in two dimension (radial immunodiffusion or Mancini method)
How the Ouchterlony test detects antigens by using the antigen antibody reaction?
The Ouchterlony assay demonstrates lattice formation in a gel. The radial immunodiffusion assay is used to quantify antigen by measuring the size of a precipitation zone in a gel infused with antibodies. Insoluble antigens in suspension will form flocculants when bound by antibodies.
What are the limitations of Ouchterlony?
One of the limitations of the Ouchterlony double diffusion system is that a large proportion of the Ab and Ag diffuse in non-productive directions and are thus wasted. Only that proportion of the Ab that diffuses towards the Ag, and vice versa, will productively form immunoprecipitate.