THE FREE-CELL PHENOMENON IN ISOHAEMAGGLUTINATION

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Abstract
An hypothesis is presented to account for the invariable persistence of unagglutinated red blood cells in agglutinated samples even when potent isoagglutinating serum is used. It is postulated that the cells which remain free represent the few which become completely saturated with the agglutinin during the sensitization phase of the reaction. These cells, which amount to only a fraction of a per cent of the total originally present in the sample, are incapable of reacting with one another but can undergo agglutination with fresh cells of the same blood type thus indicating that they are morphologically normal. Evidence is presented in support of the hypothesis. The free-cell count is reproducible provided the agglutinating serum is potent and the conditions of the experiment are standardized. The influence of various factors on the free-cell count, and the usefulness of the count for following changes in the avidity of isoagglutinating serum with time, are discussed.