Discovery of a lectin with affinity for the HBs antigen

An extract of marguerite leaves was found to contain an agglutinin which has affinity for HBs (adr type) antigen-sensitized sheep erythrocytes and for pure HBs antigen. This agglutinin activity was inhibited by the plasma of hepatitis patients who were known to have circulating HBs antigen. The agglutinin activity was also inhibited by 0.03M N-acetylneuraminic acid.