Improved method for detecting hemagglutination by centrifugal analysis.

Centrifugal analysis can be used to detect hepatitis B surface antigen, antibody to rubella virus, and fibrin-related antigen. The procedure is performed with the same reagents used in conventional hemagglutination studies. Positive and negative reactions are distinguished by the rates of erythrocyte clearance in the centrifugal field (delta A/delta time); positive cells move more rapidly than negative cells, and this difference varies directly with the concentration of detectable antigen or antibody. This phenomenon is thought to be a result of the greater adhesion of negative cells to the cuvette's surface. Sensitivity and specificity are greater in the centrifugal analysis technique than in the more conventional hemagglutination tests. False-positive reactions are eliminated and the quantitative data are accurate and reproducible.