ELEMENT FOR IMMUNOASSAY AND PROCESS OF USING THE SAME

A dipping element for immunoassay or quantitative analysis of an immunoreactive analyte is disclosed having a first matrix having a carrier therein containing an immobilized antibody capable of an immunochemical reaction with a sample antigen. The immobilized antibody is not released into the aqueous liquid sample upon contact. The element further comprises a second matrix which contains labelled antigen which does dissolve in the aqueous liquid sample upon contact. On dipping, the marker-labelled antigen reacts with the immobilized antibody in competition with the antigen-antibody reaction between the analyte antigen and the immobilized antibody. if the analyte is an antibody, then the second matrix contains a marker labelled antibody and the first matrix contains an immobilized antigen. Methods for the quantitative analysis of an analyte antigen or antibody are also disclosed.