Agglutination and an Agglutinin-"Blocking" Property in Serums from Known Cases of Brucellosis

Abstract

It is known that agglutination of brucella organisms by serums from infected individuals is variable. On the basis of reports by Diamond and by Levine working with Rh serums, it was thought that the discrepancies might be explained by the presence of blocking antibodies. These antibodies were shown to be heat labile. Storage at room temp. also reduced blocking properties. The use of rabbit serum in place of physiol. salt soln. as a diluent and as a medium for the antigen suspension reduced the blocking. A glass plate technic is recommended for titrating brucella antibodies.