HL‐A TYPING IN DRIED BLOOD STAINS. II. COMPARATIVE STUDIES ON MICROCYTOTOXICITY AND MICROCOMPLEMENT FIXATION TESTS*

Abstract

SummaryWith an improved method for extraction of HL‐A soluble antigen from dried blood stains, eighteen HL‐A antigens were tested in the microcytotoxicity test as described in the preceding paper (Rittner & Waiyawuth, 1974). With the antisera available, seven antigens could not be detected with sufficient confidence. As a serious handicap of the microcytotoxicity test, a selected panel of donor lymphocytes must be permanently available. A comparison between the microcytotoxicity and the microcomplement fixation test performed on platelet material recovered from the stains led to the conclusion that the microcomplement fixation test is better suited for a routine laboratory. Encouraging results were obtained in a larger series of microcomplement fixation tests with white blood cells from dried blood stains. Significant chi‐squared values were calculated for fourteen of sixteen antigens tested. The possible causes of false positive and negative reactions are discussed. Anticomplementary reaction of anti‐HL‐A sera in microcomplement fixation tests should be taken into account.