Sheep Erythrocyte Agglutinins and Beef Erythrocyte Hemolysins in Infectious Mononucleosis Serum

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Abstract
Summary: In serum of patients with active infectious mononucleosis, the titers of sheep agglutinins and beef hemolysins were consistently elevated, while those of sheep hemolysins and beef agglutinins were within normal levels. In general, sera with higher titers of sheep agglutinin had also more beef hemolysin. In the course of illness, the change in titers was parallel. The absorption patterns of sheep agglutinins and beef hemolysins were generally similar. Both antibodies were demonstrated in the same serum fractions after separation by electrophoresis and by column chromatography. The ultracentrifugal data and the results of treatment with sulfhydryl compounds pointed to their association with macroglobulins. Beef hemolysin was more sensitive to temperature changes than sheep agglutinin. Our results indicate that sheep agglutinins and beef hemolysins are physically inseparable but may possess different combining sites responsible for agglutination and hemolysis.