Comparative Sensitivity of Complement Fixation, Counterimmunoelectrophoresis, Radial, and Double Diffusion for Detection of Australia Antigen

The comparative sensitivity of CF, CIEP, and radial and double diffusion tests were determined on specimens from a large institution, samples submitted to a clinical laboratory for Australia testing, and samples from a commercial blood banking operation. CF, CIEP, and radial diffusion were more sensitive systems for the detection of Au than double diffusion. However, the greater sensitivity of the CF, CIEP, and radial diffusion had only a small effect on the frequency of detection of positive specimens. This slight effect was probably due to the relatively low percentage of specimens with concentrations of Australia antigen below the detectability of the double diffusion system.