The development of a fully automated solid-phase radioimmunoassay for digoxin

A radioimmunoassay for using antibody coated tubes and a unique radiotracer is described. The assay was designed specifically for use with the fully automated instrument Micromedic Systems «Concept 4 Automatic Radioassay». Antisera to digoxigenin-3-succinyl-BSA were raised in rabbits, purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, and coated onto polypropylene tubes. An iodinated histamine derivative of digoxigenin which is insensitive to serum variability is utilized. The standard curve is linear for digoxin concentrations between 0.4 and 6.4 ng/ml and is parallel for two different sample sizes. Recovery of added digoxin was quantitative. Sample values obtained by this method correlate well with values obtained by other methods. The assay can either be performed manually or fully automated on Concept 4. The advantages provided by total automation are discussed.