Direct measurement of antigens in serum by time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay.

A long-lived fluorescence label (Tb3+) has been attached to the antigen of interest by using a bifunctional chelating agent 1-(p-benzenediazonium)-EDTA. A nonequilibrium competitive-binding immunoassay protocol, in conjunction with time-resolved detection of the long-lived fluorescence label, allows the antigen to be analyzed directly in samples containing diluted human serum. Results obtained for immunoglobulin G with this simple and rapid procedure correlated well (r = 0.93) with those by a commercially available fluorescence immunoassay method.