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An enzyme immunoassay has been developed for the quantitation of specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) in human serum to a panel of allergens. The assay system, called the Abbott MATRIX Aero, includes an instrument, reagents and test cell disposables. Each test cell contains fourteen airborne allergens individually localized on a nitrocellulose solid phase. Individual calibration curves for each allergen are established by the manufacturer and included in barcode form with each test kit. Stable factory calibration eliminates the need to establish a calibration curve with each assay run. The instrument automatically incubates, washes, and reads the test cell and prints each result, which ensures assay reproducibility and provides ease-of-use. Analysis of test results shows good agreement with another in vitro assay for specific IgE. The Abbott MATRIX Aero is a sensitive, reproducible and easy-to-use system for the measurement of specific IgE to a panel of fourteen allergens simultaneously using a single, small volume of serum.

The accurate determination of the types and amounts of bilirubin species in serum is important for diagnostic purposes as well as for therapeutic monitoring. However, of the determinations routinely performed in the clinical laboratory, those for bilirubins are not among the more accurate and exhibit significant method variability. In this review, the structural, stability, solubility, and albumin-binding properties of serum bilirubins are discussed with respect to their impact on analytical methods. Following a consideration of analytical standards, methods for the determination of unconjugated and conjugated bilirubins are reviewed and recent developments are evaluated. Finally, the present capabilities and future potential of the methods for producing information applicable to the development of new or improved methods of determination are summarized.