Rapid cytological analysis of body fluid, eg urine - esp for bladder cancer diagnosis, by applying cells to carrier by filtration, immune reaction and staining

Investigation of cells from body fluids, by detection of cell-associated determinants, comprises: (a) applying the sample to a carrier for microscopy using filtration; (b) carrying out antigen-antibody reaction by adding a monoclonal antibody against the cell-associated antigen; (c) removing non-bonded antibody; (d) carrying out a staining reaction; and (e) identifying antigen-positive and antigen negative cells by counter-staining. The sample is pre-fixed by treatment with a soln. which lyses the erythrocytes (pref. with acetic acid) and preserves the non-lysed cells (pref. with methanol), esp. a soln. contg. 10 pts. glacial acetic acid, 45 pts. methanol and 45 pts. water. USE/ADVANTAGE - The method is esp. used for diagnosis of urothelial (bladder) tumours, by testing of urine. Typical of many other exemplified applications are haemotological tests for tumour or parasitic diseases, testing vaginal swabs for papilloma virus and genetic tests on amniotic fluid. Some tests involve nucleic acid hybridisation rather than antigen-antibody reaction. The process is rapid, taking a total of 30 min., compared with 2.5-5 hrs. for prior art methods. Use of cytocentrifuges (with associated time, cost and cell loss) is avoided.