Quantitative computerized western blotting.

Western blotting allows analysis of antibody reactivity against multiple antigens separated according to their molecular weights. The distinction between immune dominant and recessive antigens is often difficult and carried out by qualitative or empirical means. Quantitative computerized western blotting (QCWB) addresses this difficulty by analyzing reactivity to specific antigens and providing a statistically measurable value for each band. This allows differentiation between immunodominant and immunorecessive determinants. QCWB is appropriate for either single time point analysis or longitudinal studies where multiple time points are evaluated and the reactivities against individual bands compared. This technique can be used to study humoral responses to complex antigenic mixtures such as allergens and infectious agents, or to identify serologic markers for early diagnosis of cancer, autoimmune, or infectious diseases, or to monitor patient's clinical status.