Use of Erythrocytes Sensitized with Purified Pneumococcal Polysaccharides for the Assay of Antibody and Antibody-producing Cells

ABSTRACT

A method was described for the sensitization of erythrocytes with purified type-specific pneumococcal polysaccharide antigens using chromium chloride as a coupling agent. Erythrocytes so sensitized can be used in routine passive hemagglutination and hemolysis tests as well as in the technique of localized hemolysis-in-gel for the detection of specific antibody and specific antibody-producing cells, respectively.