Hemagglutination by Mixtures of Human γ-Globulin and Heterogenetic Bacterial Antigen

Summary

Study on hemagglutination by mixtures of heterogenetic bacterial antigen and corresponding antibodies revealed the following results:

1. 1. Mixtures of antigen and γ-globulin cause agglutination of human erythrocytes that have been treated with either pancreatic protease, trypsin, ficin, bromelin, or papain.

2. 2. Crude extracts of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, and Listeria monocytogenes are all effective.

3. 3. Serum Fractions II 1, 2 and II 3 are both effective.

4. 4. Serum containing this antibody in comparable titer does not cause hemagglutination in the presence of antigen.

5. 5. Absorption of heterogenetic antibody from γ-globulin considerably reduces the hemagglutinating capacity of γ-globulin in the presence of antigen.

6. 6. This hemagglutination reaction is inhibited by human and animal serum; the serum factor(s) is heat stable at 75°C and only slightly affected at 100°C. Ultrafiltrates of serum are ineffective. Egg yolk, but not egg white, in high dilutions inhibits the reaction. Mixtures of cardiolipin and lecithin or cholesterol are also effective as inhibitors.