A scheme of analysis is described in which the particular advantages of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), fluorescence spectroscopy and radioimmunoassay (RIA) are exploited to the greatest effect. RIA affords a rapid and sensitive preliminary screening method, while the subsequent HPLC analysis using fluorimetric detection yields quantitative chromatographic evidence together with characteristic fluorescence spectra. Fractionation of samples by HPLC followed by RIA of the fractions gives further confirmation of the presence of LSD and its metabolites. The combined methodology has been applied to the analysis of LSD in body fluids for forensic and clinical purposes. Levels down to 0.5 ng of LSD per ml can be detected using the minimum of sample.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

PubMed1977

Radioimmunoassay of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in serum and urine by using antisera of different specificities.

We raised high-titre antisera to two LSD-bovine serum albumin conjugates, one linked via the indole nitrogen, the other via the amide side-chain. The antisera were specific for different parts of the LSD molecule, as demonstrated by cross-reactivity studies with LSD, its metabolites, ergot alkoloids, and closely related compounds. The antisera were used to develop a double-antibody radioimmunoassay with a detection limit of about 0.4 mug of LSD per liter of unextracted urine or serum. We saw no nonspecific interference by urine, serum, or from a series of commonly used drugs. There was good correlation between immunoassay values obtained with the two antisera (r = 0.91). However, the antiserum linked via the indole nitrogen gave consistently higher results for samples from persons who had taken LSD, owing to greater cross-reactivity with LSD metabolites. Radioimmunoassay by use of two such antisera is a more specific screening procedure for LSD abuse than has been available previously. In addition, antisera cross-reacting with LSD metabolites allow measurement of these compounds, for which there is no satisfactory method at the concentrations found in biological fluids in man.

Antibody Specificity↗

PubMed1973

Micropolyspora faeni and farmer's lung disease.

Several methods were used to obtain serologically active materials from cultures of Micropolyspora faeni. From the results of immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis tests on these materials it is suggested that preparations for the laboratory diagnosis of farmer's lung disease (FLD) should contain concentrated culture supernatant (CS) and extracts of mycelium obtained by ultrasonic treatment (MU). Although CS and MU have many serological activities in common they also possess activities unique to each.Extraction of mycelium with trichloracetic acid, boiling water or methanol yielded a product which gave simple patterns in immunodiffusion tests. The products contained little protein but were rich in carbohydrates, particularly arabinose, galactose and glucosamine. A similar material was obtained from a cell-wall preparation by treatment with lysozyme. Antibodies to the serologically active substances in these materials occurred more frequently in sera of patients with FLD than antibodies to any other M. faeni antigen.Attempts to obtain serologically active materials from spores were unsuccessful. Moreover antibodies to M. faeni could not be removed from patients' sera by absorption with partially purified spore preparations. It is suggested that the hypersensitivity in FLD arises from exposure to mycelial antigens.

Actinomycetales↗

PubMed1970

The extracellular antigens of Micropolyspora faeni: their significance in farmer's lung disease.

A serological analysis of the extracellular antigens of Micropolyspora faeni by immunodiffusion with a combination of sera revealed 29 individual antigens. A survey was made of the incidence of precipitins to the antigens in sera from patients with clinical farmer's lung disease (FLD) and other respiratory diseases. Precipitating antibody was found in 75% of farmer's lung cases and in 20% of other cases who had been exposed to the same environment. More precipitin reactions were seen in sera from severe forms of FLD than from milder forms. The distribution of precipitins to individual antigens was not significantly affected by severity of disease.Most of the patients with precipitins to M. faeni, but without the symptoms of FLD, were suffering from mild or moderate symptoms of other respiratory diseases with a history of chronic onset of symptoms. The distribution of precipitins to individual antigens in this group was similar to that in clinical FLD patients but the incidence was considerably lower.The significance of these results is discussed.

Actinomyces↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The sexing of bloodstains by testosterone: total protein ratio determination.

A simple method for the extraction of testosterone from bloodstains followed by its measurement by radioimmunoassay is described. Complete discrimination of males and females was achieved with measured bloodstains as small as 40 microliters. With stains of unknown volume the total protein content of the stain was determined as an internal reference level. Using the testosterone/protein ratio unequivocal identification was possible for 75% of the stains from males and 50% from females.

Blood Proteins↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The fate of LSD in the body: forensic considerations.

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Animals↗