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Determining the Reactivity and Titre of Serum using a Haemagglutination Assay
Published on: January 29, 2010
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CHANGES IN ANTIGENIC VOLUME AS THE RESULT OF SPECIFIC AGGLUTINATION
1Department of Animal and Plant Pathology of The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, Princeton, N. J.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
Summary
Bacteria volume increased significantly upon treatment with specific agglutinins, with a 20% increase preceding full agglutination. This study explores the relationship between this volume change and protein adsorption during agglutination.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Previous research indicated that bacteria increase in volume when treated with specific agglutinins.
- Understanding the mechanism behind this volume increase is crucial for interpreting agglutination reactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between the volumetric increase of bacteria during agglutination and the amount of protein adsorbed.
- To explore the phenomenon using both bacterial cells and model systems like sensitized collodion particles.
Main Methods:
- Bacteria and antigen-sensitized collodion particles were treated with specific agglutinins/precipitins.
- Volumetric changes were measured.
- Protein adsorption during agglutination was quantified.
Main Results:
- A 20% volume increase was observed in bacteria preceding complete agglutination.
- Collodion particles showed a small volume increase with significant protein adsorption.
- Bacteria exhibited a larger apparent volume increase than protein deposition when agglutinated with specific antisera.
Conclusions:
- There is no direct correlation between the quantity of protein adsorbed and the apparent increase in bacterial volume during agglutination.
- The study suggests an alternative explanation for the observed volume increase in agglutinated microorganisms.
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