| Abstract: | A mathematically defined extension of Landsteiner's concept of serological specificity is given. It is a general method that compares the relative specificity of two antisera. The resultant comparison is independent of the relative potencies of the antisera. It is valid for antisera prepared either against pure antigens or against mixtures of antigens. The method has been applied to data taken from the literature, involving haemagglutination, precipitin and enzyme reactions, and to new experimental data. Rabbit antisera were prepared against mouse erythrocytes and lymphocytes, and against three mouse ascites tumours. The potencies of these unabsorbed antisera were determined by immune cytolysis against each of these cell types. All antisera possessed moderate to strong cytolytic potencies against all mouse cells tested, but showed only low to moderate specificities. |
