[Characteristics of erythrocyte diagnostic agents studied using optical methods]

The quantitative characterization of erythrocyte diagnosticums (ED) has been made by optical methods (light microscopy with the use of an image analyzer, model Magiscan 2, and the opacity spectrum technique). The following parameters of ED have been determined: the average of the major axis (5.25 +/- 0.57 micron for ED from Shigella sonnei and 5.53 +/- 0.50 micron for ED from Shigella flexneri), the ratio of semiaxes (p approximately equal to 3), the major axis length distribution, the refractive index (1.076 +/- 0.002). For controlling the concentration of ED the use of the opacity spectrum technique is recommended.