Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
05:25
Simultaneous Detection of Different Antibody Classes in a Multiplexed Serological Test
Published on: July 14, 2023
DEMONSTRATION OF AGGLUTININS FOR BARTONELLA BACILLIFORMIS.
1Department of Comparative Pathology and Tropical Medicine, The Harvard Medical School, Boston.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
Summary
Researchers developed an agglutination test for Bartonella bacilliformis infections. Rabbits produced antibodies, and human sera showed low antibody levels, though Proteus agglutinin presence requires further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Bartonella bacilliformis causes bartonellosis.
- Diagnostic methods for bartonellosis are crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an agglutination test for B. bacilliformis.
- To detect circulating antibodies in bartonellosis patients.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of a satisfactory B. bacilliformis antigen.
- Performing an agglutination test using rabbit and human sera.
- Intravenous injection of living B. bacilliformis cultures in rabbits.
Main Results:
- Rabbits produced high titres of specific agglutinins after B. bacilliformis inoculation.
- Agglutinin titres in rabbits declined approximately one month post-inoculation.
- Sera from bartonellosis patients showed low but definite titres of circulating antibodies.
Conclusions:
- An agglutination test for B. bacilliformis is now available.
- The presence of circulating antibodies in bartonellosis patients was confirmed.
- Further investigation is needed regarding high Proteus agglutinin titres in some patient sera.
