| abstract |
Reagents and methods are described for an immunoassay test of increased sensitivity and decreased complexity employing an immunoglobulin specific for an antigen naturally or artificially placed upon the surface of an indicator particle coupled through the use of a hetero-bifunctional coupling reagent to a second antibody of differing specificity and specific for the antigen to be detected. In a preferred embodiment, a hetero-bifunctional coupling agent couples via a sulfhydryl group, a univalent immunoglobulin specific for the surface antigens on erythrocytes to a second multivalent immunoglobulin through an amide linkage with the latter immunoglobulin wherein said second immunoglobulin is specific for hepatitis-B surface antigen. |