Immunology

Experiment 11

Aim of the Experiment

Hemagglutination test

Principle

Hemagglutination is a reaction that causes clumping of red blood cells in presence of Some enveloped viruses. A glycoprotein on the viral surface Namely hemagglutinin, interacts with red blood cells leading to the clumping of red blood cells And the formation of a lattice.

Similar reaction happens when blood cells come in contact with any unknown antigen.

In absence of any antigen red blood cells precipitate at the bottom of a container.

However, in presence of a virus or antigen red blood cell clumps are dispersed creating a suspension.

Materials required

1. Test tubes

2. Serum containing antigen

3. PBS,

4. Glass slides

5. Cover slips

6. Microscope

7. Micropipettes

Procedure

1. Take one beaker and make blood dilution by adding 5 ml blood sample and 100 ml PBS solution

2. Take 5 test tubes label them and add 2 ml of blood dilution in each tubes

3. Add 0.2 ml (S= Standard solution) S1 ,S2 ,S3, S4 In the first four test tubes respectively.

4. Add 0.2 ml PBS solution in 5th test tube as blank

5. Incubate it for 20 minutes

6. After 20 minutes Take one drop of each on different slides and observe them under microscope