A latex agglutination test was evaluated as a method for detection and titration of antiplague antibodies. Slide and microtiter techniques using polystyrene latex particles coated with specific fraction-I-antigen of Yersinia pestis were found to be comparable in specificity and sensitivity to serological tests commonly used in laboratory practice. The latex agglutination titers correlated well ...

coccus suspension with immune serum at 1,800 r.p.m. for 10 minutes, and obtained very encouraging results. Mayer and Dowling (1945) used a centrifugal method for the detection of agglutinins against meningococci and obtained highly specific results. Feldman (1946) used a similar method in the identification of cultures, specially those of the dysentery group. The present paper gives the results...

The potency of a polyvalent antimeningococcus serum, as tested by its agglutination titer, was sacrificed by immunization with a large number of strains of the meningococcus. By immunization with a limited number of representative strains, four or six, carefully selected on account of their antigenic and agglutination properties, the potency was increased three- to tenfold without sacrificing t...

Several modifications in technique were incorporated into the standard agglutination test for Pasteurella tularensis. Reciprocal shaking of all tubes in a Kahn shaker was introduced to increase the rate of agglutination and quantity of agglutinated cell mass, making it possible to report preliminary results within 4 hr. Increased incubation time at a higher temperature was used to favor the rat...

The cause of platelet agglutination in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura has been an enigma. Current evidence indicates that the interaction of platelets with a platelet-aggregating factor or unusually large multimers of factor Vlllrvon Willebrand factor, or both, may cause the abnormal platelet agglutination. Recent success in the treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura with intrave...

Immune sera to strains of Streptococcus mutans were found to inhibit agglutination of bacterial suspensions to which either high-molecular-weight dextran or sucrose was added. This inhibitory activity was shown to be mediated by antibody of the immunoglobulin G class. A semiquantitative assay was developed which demonstrated cross-inhibition of dextran/sucrose-induced agglutination among severa...