[Effect of 2-mercaptoethanol on immunoglobulin M in toxoplasmosis and rubella]

2 mercapto-ethanol (2 M-E) can be used to demonstrate IgM immunoglobulins to both toxoplasmosis and to measles, but while the action of this reagent is easily confirmed in the course of agglutination reactions with toxoplasma, it is only straightforward in certain circumstances in the course of the inhibition of haemagglutination reaction with measles virus. The agglutination reaction is very sensitive for this group of immunoglobulins: the depolymerization of toxoplasmosis IgM by 2 M-E is well demonstrated in total serum. The inhibition of haemagglutination reaction is sensitive for IgM and IgG, but the much higher concentration of IgG often masks the immunological activity of the IgM; the depolymerization of measles IgM by 2 M-E is only barely demonstrated on the IgM fraction. The use of 2 M-E is also a valuable means of confirming the fractionation obtained by filtration chromatography.