HAEMAGGLUTINATION REVERSAL OF ERYTHROCYTES COATED WITH PENICILLIN

The rate of spontaneous reversal of agglutinates of benzylpenicilloyl coated erythrocytes is increased by hapten inhibitors and by penicillinasc and 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME). Cells coated with alkaline pH PG solutions reverse more slowly than those prepared at neutral pH. Supernatants from coated cells pH 7 or pH 10 inhibit agglutination equally and treatment of cells with penicillinase did not affect the amount of inhibitor released into the supernatant fluid. Spontaneous reversal or that due to 2-ME gave stronger antiglobulin reactions than did reversed cells subjected to benzylpenicillin or penicillinase treatment. Heat labile inhibitor may play a part in reversal. © 1969 S. Karger AG, Basel.