Glutaraldehyde as a coupling reagent in passive haemagglutination

Abstract

A sensitive passive haemagglutination technique is described depending on the attachment of proteins to erythrocytes with glutaraldehyde. Various factors that play a role in the coupling of bovine serum albumin to sheep erythrocytes are examined. A standard procedure was deduced by which other proteins were coupled and tested with their specific antisera. The observed titres are comparable to those obtained with the classical bis-diazotized benzidine method.

The technique is specific and practicable. It provides sensitized cells that remain stable for several weeks.