Mitogen stimulated lymphocyte transformation
OwnerVictor Herbertinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Mitogen stimulated transformation of blood lymphocytes is effected with a whole blood sample of a quantity of no greater than 0.5 ml, and a mitogen to whole blood sample ratio which prevents agglutination of blood cells to thereby facilitate uniform uptake of reagents by the lymphocytes in subsequent testing. Lymphocyte transformation can be measured by use of a radioisotope, and the technique is particularly suitable for measuring vitamin deficiency by a dU or thymidine suppression test, or for determining lymphocytic malignancy. The use of a whole blood culture eliminates lymphocyte separation, and the use of micro quantities of blood extends clinical application to routine laboratories and pediatric patients.
Claims30
In a process for determining vitamin deficiency by a deoxyuridine suppression test wherein a blood sample is preincubated with a mitogen to stimulate transformation of blood lymphocytes to produce DNA, followed by incubation with deoxyuridine and tracer, the improvement comprising:
- employing a whole blood sample of a quantity of no greater than 0.5 ml, and mitogen in an amount to stimulate transformation of lymphocytes in the whole blood sample and provide a mitogen to whole blood sample ratio which prevents agglutination of blood cells.
In a process for determining vitamin deficiency by a thymidine suppression test wherein a blood sample is preincubated with a mitogen to stimulate transformation of blood lymphocyte to produce DNA, followed by incubation with thymidine and tracer, the improvement comprising:
- employing a whole blood sample of a quantity of no greater than 0.5 ml and mitogen in an amount to stimulate transformation in the whole blood sample and provide a mitogen to whole blood sample ratio which prevents agglutination of blood cells.
In a process for determining lymphocytic malignancy by determining delayed mitogen stimulated lymphocyte transformation, wherein a blood sample is preincubated with a mitogen to stimulate transformation of blood lymphocytes to produce DNA followed by incubation with a tracer, the improvement comprising:
- employing a whole blood sample of a quantity of no greater than 0.5 ml and mitogen in an amount to stimulate transformation in the whole blood sample and provide a mitogen to whole blood sample ratio which prevents agglutination of blood cells.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.