agglutination test
Quick Summary
The agglutination test is a medical laboratory procedure used to detect specific antibodies or antigens in a blood serum sample. It relies on the principle of agglutination, where an agglutinin (like an antibody) causes particles, such as bacteria or red blood cells, to clump together. This clumping occurs when the agglutinin reacts with a specific surface structure, called an antigen, on the particles.12
This reaction is highly specific and can be used indirectly to identify past or present infections or immunizations by detecting the presence of agglutinins in a person's serum. Conversely, serums with known agglutinins can identify unknown antigens on particles. The test is fundamental in blood typing, determining compatibility for transfusions by identifying A, B, and Rh antigens and their corresponding antibodies. Agglutination tests are a type of serological test, which are crucial for diagnosing various diseases and conditions.123
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