The Effect of Immune Serum on Hæmagglutination by Ricin

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Abstract
Summary: The literature dealing with the subject is briefly reviewed. It was found impossible to demonstrate the presence of any specific anti-agglutinin in the serum of either goats or rabbits immunised against ricin. Large additions of both normal and immune sera inhibit agglutination of the red cells of most species of animals tested. When added in an optimum quantity of approximately 1 per cent. immune serum greatly increases the agglutinating power of ricin towards the red cells of dog, cat, rabbit and guinea-pig. 5 With the blood of horse, ox, goat and sheep, both normal and immune sera exert a slight promotive effect when added in optimum quantity. 6 The action of immune serum on dog red cells was investigated under varying conditions and the promotive action shown to be specific to ricin and independent of red cell concentration and of pH. It is also independent of temperature, provided sufficient time is allowed for equilibrium to be reached. 7 It is concluded that one cannot explain these phenomena until more is known of the mechanism of agglutination by ricin.

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