Serological procedure for the detection of antibodies to penicillin

Abstract

A hemagglutination technique for demonstrating antibodies to penicillin in sera from penicillin-allergic subjects is described. Erythrocytes coupled to penicillin T by means of bis-diazotized-benzidine constitute the "antigen" used to measure the antipenicillin antibody. The hemagglutination reaction is highly specific. as indicated by hemagglutination-inhibition studies. The clinical significance of these antibodies remains to be elucidated.