Detection of Platelet Antibody Using Streptavidin-Biotinylated ~ -Galactosidase Complex

Abstract

Anew immunocytochemical method for the detection of platelet antibody was developed using streptavidin-biotinylated (3 -galactosidase complex. The method was evaluated in terms of its sensitivity with samples from ITP patients and platelet antibody positive sample tested by the immunofluorescence method. All 34 positive sera for platelet antibody by the immunofluorescence method were also positive with the streptavidin-biotin method. Eight (50.0%) of 16 ITP patient sera were positive by the streptavidin-biotin method, however, only five (31.3%) of 16 sera were positive by immunofluorescence method. The average platelet antibody titer obtained by the streptavidin-biotin method was 7.5 times higher than that by the immunofluorescence method. The platelets bound on glass slides could be stored at 4-8°C for up to 3 weeks. In summary, the new immunocytochemical method using streptavidin-biotinylated /3 -galactosidase could be used for the detection of platelet antibody with higher sensitivity than the immunofluorescence method.