A Study on the Detection and Specificity of Antibodies to Shigella flexneri Types Using Preserved Polysaccharide-Sensitized Human Erythrocytes

Abstract

Human erythrocytes preserved with formalin, were sensitized with single and with multiple la, 1b, 4a, 4b and 5 Shigella polysaccharide antigens and checked for stability over a period of 6 months. No real differences or diminution of titer level could be detected using hyperimmune rabbit sera for the hemagglutination (HA) tests. Comparative HA tests with fresh and preserved red blood cells carried out on serums from patients with shigella infections gave the same results. The sensitivity of this test together with the obvious advantages afforded by the use of preserved erythrocytes make it worthy of extensive trial as a diagnostic tool.