An alternative method for inactivating heteroagglutinins in human sera applicable to rubella haemagglutination inhibition testing at low dilutions.
Serum agglutinins of chick and pigeon cells are predominantly immunoglobulin M and can be inactivated by 2 mercaptoethanol. 2 Mercaptoethanol is more effective than strong suspensions of red cells in removing the agglutinins of indicator cells from sera being prepared for HAI tests. In rubella HAI tests from a dilution of 1 to 10 dilute 2 mercaptoethanol offer a convenient method of removing agglutinins, and, at higher concentration, allow dilutions of sera from 1 in 2-5 to be tested without significant interference by heteroagglutinins. HAI titres are comparable when red cell absorbed and 2 mercaptoethanol treated sera are tested in parallel.
D000373:Agglutinins / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000818:Animals; D000910:Antibodies, Heterophile; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D002645:Chickens / Q000276:immunology; D010856:Columbidae / Q000276:immunology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006385:Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests / Q000379:methods*; D006388:Hemagglutinins / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D008623:Mercaptoethanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D012412:Rubella virus / Q000276:immunology*
D000373:Agglutinins; D000910:Antibodies, Heterophile; D006388:Hemagglutinins; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D008623:Mercaptoethanol