Lecture 2
Agglutination tests
Prepared by
D\Huda Muharram
Agglutination reaction
When a particulate antigen is mixed with its
antibody in presence of electrolytes at
suitable temperature and pH, then the
particles are clumped or agglutinated .
Agglutination test
Qualitative agglutination test-to assay
for the presence of an antigen or an
antibody.
Quantitative agglutination test-to
quantitative the level of antibodies to
particulate antigens.
Uses
1.Identification of bacteria, e.g. serotyping
of salmonella and shigellawith known
antisera.
2.Serological diagnosis of infection e.g.
widaltest for typhoid
3.Haemagglutinationtest.
Agglutination tests can be performed
1.On slides or tiles
2.In tubes
3.In microtitration plate
The type of agglutination
Active agglutination:-These are tests in which
there is a direct agglutination of Ag on the surface
of large insoluble particles ( as bacteria ) with it's
corresponding Ab.
Passive agglutination :-These are tests in which
the specific Ab or known Ag is attached to inert
particles or cells (carriers ).
The substances and cells used as
carriers
1.Latex particles
2.Carbon particles
3.Stabilized staphylococcal cells
Specific Ab
protein A
Examples of latex agglutination tests
ASO latex slide agglutination test
Rheumatoid factors (RF) latex slide agglutination test
C-reactive protein (CRP) latex slide agglutination test
Pregnancy latex slide agglutination tests
Hepatitis surface antigen (HBsAg)
ASO latex slide agglutination test
Intended use
It is a rapid latex agglutination test for the
qualitative and semi-quantitative
determination of anti-streptolysin-O
antibodies (ASO) in serum.
Causative agent
β-haemolytic Streptococci group A (Strept.
pyogenes )
Streptolysin-O is one of the exotoxinsliberated
from the bacteria that stimulates production
ofASO antibodies.
Qualitative method
50μLof the sample
+ One drop of latex
One drop of positive
control +
One drop of latex
One drop of negative
control +
One drop of latex
At room temperature
Mix than Place the slide on a mechanical rotator at 80-100 r.p.m. for
2 minutes
Result
Positive result :-ASO 200 IU/mL
Negative result :-ASO 200 IU/mL
Semi-quantitative method
1/81/41/2Dilutions
50 μLSample
50 μL50 μL50 μLSaline
50 μL50 μL
200 X 8200 X 4200 X 2 ASO conc.
50 μL
The titer = the highest dilution showing a positive result
The approximate ASO concentration in the
patient sample
200 x ASO Titer = IU/mL
Calculation