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Abstract

A process for the detection of antibodies in a test sample is described. This process involves: (a) preparing an essentially isotonic and low ionic strength suspension comprising said sample and erythrocytes in net negatively-charged form; (b) maintaining said suspension for at least 30 seconds; (c) combining said suspension with an amount of a solution of polymer effective for agglutination of said erythrocytes; (d) separating the resultant agglutinates of polymer and erythrocytes from supernatant of said suspension; (e) dispersing said agglutinates in a hypertonic salt solution having an essentially neutral pH; and (f) monitoring the dispersed agglutinates for dissociation of erythrocytes. This process permits rapid detection of antibodies with great ease. Their presence is indicated by persistence of the agglutinates in the dispersion. The antigen which reacts with antibody may be native to the erythrocytes, or may be unrelated to erythrocytes but artificially coupled to those cells. Quantitative analysis is likewise possible because their dissociation is inversely related to antibody concentration.

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First Claim