The Antibody Initiative -- Diagnosing Disease with Antibodies
Diagnosing Disease with Antibodies
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Accurate medical diagnosis is a critical first step for determining individual treatments, as well as for tracking the spread of disease and establishing effective public health strategies. Beginning in the late 19th century, scientists investigating infectious disease developed new diagnostic techniques along with new therapies. The new tools emerged from a growing understanding of the immune system and the role played by antitoxins (antibodies) that the body produced in response to invading organisms or toxins (antigens).
Scientists devised tests to detect the presence of antibodies in blood and employed antigens to provoke an immune response. These tests revealed information about the patient’s disease history, including both on-going infections and prior exposure to disease. Testing could reveal infections before outward symptoms appeared and helped identify disease “carriers”—individuals who remained symptomless but nonetheless could spread disease. Diagnostic tests continue to influence our understanding of disease and how we define the borders between sickness and health.
Even the most accurate tests are imperfect. Repeat testing and different techniques can give conflicting results. Scientists, doctors, and public health workers employ tests for different purposes. Factors such as cost, speed, and ease-of-use influence the design of testing methods and devices. Rapid screening tests that can be used in the field are often backed up by more extensive laboratory-based tests. In recent years, the increase of point-of-care diagnostic devices has allowed more testing to move out of the laboratory and into the clinic or home.
Each of the following tests has had an enormous influence on how individuals and communities have chosen to control, prevent, and treat disease.
Serological (Blood) Tests for Syphilis
Keidel Vacuum Bleeding Tube, ca 1915, “For the quick and aseptic collection of blood for the Wassermann and other reactions.”
Testing blood serum for the presence of antibodies required specialized tools and techniques for collecting blood samples without introducing contaminants. The Keidel Vacuum Bleeding Tube, introduced around 1915, provided one solution. Each sterile package contained a needle attached via a short rubber tube to a sealed glass vacuum tube. After the needle was inserted into the vein, the seal was broken, allowing blood to be drawn quickly into the glass tube. The sample could then be resealed and sent to the laboratory for testing. The Keidel device was marketed particularly for the Wassermann test—a serological test for syphilis developed by August Paul von Wassermann in 1906. The diagnostic test aided public health departments in their efforts to control the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
Widal Test for Typhoid
In 1896, French physician and bacteriologist Georges Fernand Isidore Widal introduced a blood test for typhoid that still bears his name. Scientists had observed that cholera bacteria would clump together when injected into animals that had been immunized against the disease. This clumping, called agglutination, resulted from the binding of antibodies in the blood serum to the bacterial antigens. The clumps were easily observed through a microscope. Widal devised a practical diagnostic technique for typhoid based on this phenomenon. He mixed a small sample of the patient’s blood serum with a suspension of typhoid bacilli, then used a microscope to examine a drop of the solution. If the cells clumped together, the patient had typhoid antibodies, which indicated either current infection or prior exposure to the disease.
In 1905, bacteriologist John Borden modified the Widal test in a way that freed practicing physicians from their reliance on the services of bacteriological laboratories. By 1912, the Mulford company was advertising a complete test outfit based on his modifications. The kit included a needle and glass capillary tubes for collecting blood from the earlobe, a bottle of salt solution for diluting the sample, a bottle of killed typhoid bacilli suspension, dropper bottles, test tubes, and a rack. The test required no microscope, as the bacterial clumping was visible to the naked eye, appearing as a small white mass at the bottom of the test tube.
Skin Test for Tuberculosis
Tuberculinum Kochi, 1891. As a treatment for tuberculosis, Koch’s Tuberculin turned out to be a great disappointment. Its real value was as a diagnostic.
In 1890, German bacteriologist Robert Koch introduced tuberculin as a treatment for tuberculosis. Tuberculin was essentially a broth of the tubercle bacillus (the bacterium that causes tuberculosis) which was heated and filtered to remove the infectious organism. Through his investigations, Koch discovered that the substance also had value as a diagnostic. When injected in an infected individual, it provoked a visible local allergic reaction. This reaction could be used as a marker for the disease.
However, tuberculin, as originally produced by Koch, was too impure to make a reliable diagnostic. In the 1930s, American biochemist Florence Barbara Seibert succeeded in isolating the protein (antigen) in tuberculin that elicited the distinctive reaction. By the early 1940s, Seibert’s Purified Protein Derivative (P.P.D.) became the accepted world standard for the tuberculin skin test.
Tuberculin, P.P.D. (Purified Protein Derivative), Parke, Davis & Company, 1942. Shown with a 1 cc. tuberculin syringe, Becton Dickinson & Company.
Schick Test for Susceptibility to Diphtheria
Diphtheria Toxin for Schick Test and Schick Test Control (Heated Toxin), Eli Lilly & Company, ca 1952.
The Schick test, developed by Hungarian-born pediatrician Béla Schick in the 1910s, was designed to detect the absence of antibodies. Schick needed a simple technique to determine an individual’s susceptibility to diphtheria before deciding whether the individual would benefit from a dose of preventative serum or vaccine.
To perform the test, a tiny dose of diphtheria toxin was injected into the skin of one forearm and a dose of inactivated toxin was injected in the other arm to serve as a control. If an individual had no immunity (no antibodies), redness and swelling would develop around the injection site. No significant reaction would occur if the individual was immune to diphtheria from prior exposure to the disease.
The Schick test became an important screening tool in the diphtheria vaccination campaigns launched in the 1920s. Public health officials tested whole classrooms of students to determine who had already been exposed to the disease. Those who were unexposed – and therefore susceptible – to diphtheria received the new vaccine.
Testing for HIV
HIV test kit, Abbott Laboratories, 1985-6. At the time the kit was produced, the AIDS virus, HIV, was known as HTLV-III (Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type-3).
In March 1985, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first blood test for the detection of antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS. The test was initially designed for screening the blood supply to stop the spread of AIDS through transfusions. At the time, an estimated 2% of known cases of AIDS had been linked to transfusions of contaminated blood. Blood-collecting centers around the country immediately began using the new test.
Testing individuals for HIV exposure proved much more contentious. Although health officials promised confidentiality, patients feared disclosure and the misuse of test information. The presence of HIV antibodies was not in itself a diagnosis of AIDS, however in popular understanding the antibody test became the “AIDS test.” Testing led to divisive debates over the best way to protect individual rights and stop the spread of infection.
Diagnostic options have changed dramatically since 1985. In 2012, the FDA approved the first in-home HIV antibody test. The test uses saliva rather than blood, and results are provided in about 20 minutes. Additional laboratory tests are required to confirm diagnosis.


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Clearblue Easy Pregnancy Test - "As Accurate as a Doctor's Test*"
- Description
- According to the product packaging:
- TESTING EARLY: Clearblue Easy can be used as early as 4 days before you expect your period. That's 5 days sooner than waiting until you miss your period to test. The amount of pregnancy hormone increases rapidly in early pregnancy. In clinical testing with early pregnancy samples, Clearblue Easy gave the following resutls. (Table with number of days before expected period and % of samples from pregnanent women giving a pregnant result)
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 2011
- maker
- Procter & Gamble Company
- ID Number
- 2011.0065.001
- accession number
- 2011.0065
- catalog number
- 2011.0065.001
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Tuberculin, Old Tine Test (Rosenthal)
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1976
- expiration date
- 1976-06-01
- maker
- American Cyanamid Company. Lederle Laboratories Division
- ID Number
- 1982.0043.024
- catalog number
- 1982.0043.024
- accession number
- 1982.0043
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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e.p.t. Early Pregnancy Test
- Description
- According to the product packaging:
- EASY To USE: 1) Remove cap and place absorbent tip in urine stream for 5 seconds. 2) Lay test flat while developing. 3) read results in 2 minutes.
- NO OTHER BRAND IS MORE ACCURATE Over 99% accuracy from the day of your expected period* *Over 99% accurate at detecting typical pregnancy hormone levels. Note that hormone levels vary. See leaflet. Instructions inside. Las instructiones en espanol adentro.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 2011
- expiration date
- 2013-06
- maker
- McNEIL-PPC, Inc.
- ID Number
- 2011.0065.002
- accession number
- 2011.0065
- catalog number
- 2011.0065.002
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Mono-Vacc Test Tuberculin, Old
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1984
- product expiration date
- 1984-11-01
- ID Number
- 2012.0165.776
- catalog number
- 2012.0165.776
- accession number
- 2012.0165
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Flocculation Antigen - APHA 42953 - Department of Health - Bureau of Laboratories - City of New York
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1950s - 1960s
- ID Number
- 2017.0184.069.1
- accession number
- 2017.0184
- catalog number
- 2017.0184.069.1
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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SMART Yersinia pestis Anti F-1 Detection Kit for Environmental Sampling - Sensitive Membrane Antigen Rapid Test for Yersinia pestis
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- New Horizons Diagnostics Corporation
- ID Number
- 1998.0308.03
- catalog number
- 1998.0308.03
- accession number
- 1998.0308
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Persona - Personal Hormonal Fertility Monitor and Contraceptive System
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1999
- maker
- Unipath, Ltd.
- ID Number
- 2014.0247.01
- accession number
- 2014.0247
- catalog number
- 2014.0247.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Clearblue Easy Digital Ovulation Test - Tells You the 2 Best Days to Conceive - Over 99% Accurate
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 2012
- distributor
- Procter & Gamble Company
- ID Number
- 2014.0247.06
- accession number
- 2014.0247
- catalog number
- 2014.0247.06
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Parts of a Clear Blue Pregnancy Test - Model Introduced in 1985
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1985
- maker
- Unipath, Ltd.
- ID Number
- 2014.0247.08
- accession number
- 2014.0247
- catalog number
- 2014.0247.08
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Hybritech Tandem Icon hCG - Immunometric Assay Using Monoclonal Antibodies - Test for Pregnancy
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1985 -1990
- maker
- Hybritech, Inc.
- ID Number
- 2014.0247.12
- accession number
- 2014.0247
- catalog number
- 2014.0247.12
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Kodak Surecell hCG-Urine - Test for Pregnancy
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1988
- maker
- Eastman Kodak Company
- ID Number
- 2014.0247.13
- accession number
- 2014.0247
- catalog number
- 2014.0247.13
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Syva Rapidtest d.a.u. 2 for Cannabinoids and Cocaine - Test for Illegal Drug Use Using Enzyme Multiplied Immunoassay Technique
- Description (Brief)
- The device tests for the presence of THC and cocaine in the urine. The EMIT (Enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique) test was developed in the early 1970's by Syva.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1998
- maker
- Syva Company
- Dade Behring
- ID Number
- 2014.0247.14
- accession number
- 2014.0247
- catalog number
- 2014.0247.14
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Abbott Testpack +Plus hCG - Urine Test for Pregnancy
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1989 - 2003
- maker
- Abbott Laboratories
- ID Number
- 2014.0247.15
- accession number
- 2014.0247
- catalog number
- 2014.0247.15
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Allergenic Extract Dust (House) - Glycerinated - for Scratch Testing Not to Be Injected
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1952
- expiration date
- 1952-04-23
- maker
- American Cyanamid Company. Lederle Laboratories Division
- ID Number
- 1978.0882.75
- accession number
- 1978.0882
- catalog number
- 1978.0882.75
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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ImmunoDip Urinary Albumin Test - Diagnostic Test for Kidney Damage
- Description (Brief)
- This single use disposable dipstick is used to check for small amounts of the protein albumin in the urine. The presence of albumin in the urine, known as albuminaria or microalbuminaria if the amount is very small, is an indication of kidney damage most often caused by diabetes. The ImmunoDip test was developed by Diagnostic Chemicals Limited in 2004.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 2004
- maker
- Diagnostic Chemicals Limited
- ID Number
- 2014.0247.17
- accession number
- 2014.0247
- catalog number
- 2014.0247.17
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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CARDS+- OS - hCG Urine Test for Pregnancy
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1990
- maker
- Pacific Biotech, Inc.
- ID Number
- 2014.0247.19
- accession number
- 2014.0247
- catalog number
- 2014.0247.19
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Directigen 1-2-3 hCG Test for Pregnancy
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1991
- maker
- Becton, Dickinson and Company
- ID Number
- 2014.0247.20
- accession number
- 2014.0247
- catalog number
- 2014.0247.20
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Clear Blue Plus Pregnancy Test
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 2013
- maker
- Swiss Precision Diagnostics GmbH
- ID Number
- 2014.0247.27
- accession number
- 2014.0247
- catalog number
- 2014.0247.27
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Lyovac Bee Venom Solution for Diagnosis and Treatment of Arthritis
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1955
- expiration date
- 1955-10-25
- maker
- Sharp and Dohme
- ID Number
- 1978.0882.78
- accession number
- 1978.0882
- catalog number
- 1978.0882.78
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Clear Blue Plus Pregnancy Test - "As Accurate as a Doctor's Test"
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 2013
- product expiration date
- 2013-06
- maker
- Swiss Precision Diagnostics GmbH
- ID Number
- 2014.0247.26
- accession number
- 2014.0247
- catalog number
- 2014.0247.26
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History