Cold Aglutinins in Human Echinococcos

Abstract

Direct cold hemagglutination of erythrocytes from healthy persons with the serum from human echinococcosis patients is demonstrated.

The statistical results elaborated by the method Hi quadrant (according to Pearson and Kolmogorov-Smirnov) has shown that in 87% of cases the serum from human echinococcosis patients is producing cold agglutination with the isogroup erythrocytes from healthy persons employing the enzyme technic (papain). This cold agglutinin has the optimal effect of the temperature of +4° C, they are thermolabile, and can be completely destroyed of the temperature of +56° C giving negative COOMBS’es test. This agglutinin are nonspecific antibodies, and can be found in many other diseases. With regard to the high percentage of positive results in echinococcosis patients, the test can be useful for diagnosis of the disease in addition to other methods.

The enzyme technic with papain is giving cold agglutination more intensive than with trypsin or without the use of enzyme. Investigated were 48 patients and 18 healthy persons.