Measurement and Preservation of Antibodies in Human Sera

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Abstract
Summary: Volunteers were injected with the specific polysaccharides of pneumococcus I, II, V, and VII. Pre- and post-immunization sera were analyzed for anti-C and antibodies to the type-specific polysaccharides (a) when fresh; (b) after storage in liquid form; (c) after storage for one year frozen at low temperatures; and (d) after lyophilization and storage for 1.5 years. Of the various methods of storage, lyophilization seemed the least compatible with accurate microanalytical work. Irregularities due to the presence of active complement were again observed, as was also loss of antibody when complement was removed by heat instead of by egg albumin anti-egg albumin.