Development of an electrochemiluminescence flow cell for continuous measurement of antibody concentration in body fluids.

To monitor the changes in the concentration of antibody produced in body fluids due to infection, we developed a new method for continuous measuring of the antibody concentration. Conventional immunoassay is applicable to heterogeneous reaction between antigen and antibody, and is unavailable for continuous measurement. We used the technique of electrochemiluminescence (ECL) to measure antibody concentration continuously in a homogeneous reaction system. We used human serum albumin (HSA) as antigen and luminol as luminous substance. ECL reaction occurred on electrically conductive glass electrode the electric potential of which was kept constant at -0.70 V vs saturated calomel electrode (SCE). In conclusion, antibody concentration can be measured continuously by the ECL reaction which is a promising technique of measurement of antibody specifically reacting with antigen.