Determination of salivary ABH-blood group antigens by rocket affinoelectrophoresis

A rocket affinoelectrophoretic assay system was used to detect and quantify the human salivary ABH-blood group antigens of 155 individuals. In this system blood group antigens precipitated as rockets in agarose gels containing different lectins, with the rocket height being correlated to the antigen concentration. This technique was compared with the classical hemagglutination inhibition method for determination of salivary blood group antigens, and it was demonstrated that salivary A, B and H blood group antigens were detected with the lectins from helix pomatia, Bandeiraea simplicifolia and Ulex europeus, respectively. The technique was rapid and sensitive, with a detection limit of 0.1 microliters saliva. This technique can also be used for determination of blood group antigens derived from other body fluids, tissues and cells.