[Separation of antirubella IGM antibodies by affinity chromatography]

The separation of IgM globulins by affinity chromatography has been used for serodiagnosis of primary infections with rubella or measles virus. IgM antibody activity levels are similar to those obtained when the separation has been performed by ultracentrifugation. The results of 50 cases examined by the two separation methods are in agreement. However, affinity chromatography is more specific than gel filtration methods and requires a smaller amount of serum. The anti-human IgM globulins, covalently bound to activated Sepharose, maintain their binding capacity to IgM for a long period; and the same gel could be used more than 40 times. Due to its specificity, sensitivity and reliability, affinity chromatography is an efficient tool for routine laboratory diagnosis of a recent primary infection.