An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is described for measuring x and λ light chains within each of the serum immunoglobulin classes G, A and M. The detection limit was 0 · 06 U/L for total IgG, IgG x and IgG λ, 0 · 2 U/L for total IgA, IgA x and IgA λ and 0 · 5 U/L for total IgM, IgM x and IgM λ. The concentrations of x plus λ light chains from the three different immunoglobulins correlated well within those of total immunoglobulin G, A and M as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or by immunonephelometry.
Adult values for the x/λ light chain ratio were found to be 2 · 0 for IgG x/λ, 1 · 1 for IgA x/λ and 1 · 7 for IgM x/λ.
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