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Radial immunodiffusion provides more accurate concentrations of serum immunoglobulins. Antisera to specific immunoglobulins (heavy chain-specific) are incorporated into agarose plates. Patient samples are dispensed into wells cut into the agarose. The sample (containing the antigen) diffuses into the gel. When antibody-antigen complexes form, a precipitition ring can be visualized in the agarose.  The width of the ring is compared to that produced by a standard curve obtained from a solution of known Ig concentration. Note that agarose plates from different manufacturers differ and results from different laboratories are not comparable. Results should always be interpreted with respect to ranges provided by each laboratory performing this test.RIDs are recommended for quantification of immunoglobulins to diagnose immunodeficiencies (e.g. failure of passive transfer) and to determine the nature of a monoclonal gammopathy.
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