Development of a kit for the assay of haemagglutination inhibition antibodies to flaviviruses using formalinized goose erythrocytes.
Haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test using goose erythrocytes (GRBC) is the method of choice for screening antibodies to various arboviruses. This test makes use of fresh GRBC preserved in dextrose-gelatin-veronal (DGV). We have tried formalinizing GRBC and have found that such cells can retain the surface property of being agglutinated by arboviruses and, therefore, can be used in haemagglutination (HA) and HI tests. Unlike fresh cells preserved in DGV, formalinized cells can be preserved for a long time without haemolysis or loss of sensitivity. They can also be frozen or lyophilized. Making use of these properties, a kit has been developed for the assay of HI antibodies to some members of the flavivirus group. Use of this kit simplifies the HI test and enables it to be carried out routinely by any hospital or laboratory to screen arboviral infections.
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005416:Flavivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D005557:Formaldehyde; D005777:Geese / Q000097:blood; D006385:Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D011309:Preservation, Biological / Q000379:methods
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D005557:Formaldehyde