Hemagglutinin
Hemagglutinin refers to a substance that causes red blood cells to agglutinate. This process is called hemagglutination. Examples include antibodies[1], blood group antigens, autoimmune factors (such as Rh factor), and lectins[2]. Bacteria, viruses, and other parasites can be the source of blood agglutinins as well.
Types
Examples include:
- Influenza hemagglutinin
- Measles hemagglutinin
- Parainfluenza hemagglutinin-neuraminidase
- Mumps hemagglutinin-neuraminidase
- The PH-E form of phytohaemagglutinin
Uses in serology
Hemagglutination can be used to identify RBC surface antigens (with known antibodies) or to screen for antibodies (with RBCs with known surface antigens).
Using anti-A and anti-B antibodies that bind specifically to either the A or to the B blood group surface antigens on RBCs it is possible to test a small sample of blood and determine the ABO blood group (or blood type) of an individual.
The bedside card method of blood grouping relies on visual agglutination to determine an individual's blood group. The card has dried blood group antibody reagents fixed onto its surface and a drop of the individual's blood is placed on each area on the card. The presence or absence of visual agglutination enables a quick convenient method of determining the ABO and Rhesus status of the individual.
Agglutination of red blood cells is used in the Coombs test.
See also
References
 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (June 2009) |
- ^ "hemagglutinin" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
- ^ Hemagglutinins at the U.S. National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
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