RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Evaluation of dithiothreitol (DTT) for inactivation of IgM antibodies. JF Journal of Clinical Pathology JO J Clin Pathol FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists SP 1152 OP 1155 DO 10.1136/jcp.31.12.1152 VO 31 IS 12 A1 T Okuno A1 N Kondelis YR 1978 UL http://jcp.bmj.com/content/31/12/1152.abstract AB A newly introduced sulphydryl compound, dithiothreitol (DTT), is evaluated for its optimal conditions of inactivation of IgM antibodies. The maximal effects of DTT reagent are observed when its final concentrations are between 0.0025 M and 0.005 M, pH between 7.0 and 8.0, and incubation at 37 degrees C. Concentrations over 0.01 M, pH values greater than 8.0, and an incubation temperature over 40 degrees C resulted in a gel formation of the specimen. Examination of both 'cold' and 'warm' type antibodies demonstrated that the results obtained by the DTT reagent are in close agreement with those obtained by 2-mercaptoethanol reagents and DEAE Sephadex treatment. Since the procedure is simple and rapid and lacks offensive odour, DTT is recommended for routine use in blood banking for the inactivation of IgM antibodies.