Abstract
Summary Mixtures containing antigen, antibody and complement induced macroscopic agglutination of washed platelets from normal guinea pigs and rabbits. The responsible mechanism is postulated as an attachment of the complex, antigen-antibody-complement, to a specific “receptor site” on the surface of the platelet. Platelets were not agglutinable after heating at 56°C for 15 min, nor after treatment with trypsin (2 μg) or with chymotrypsin. Citrate and heparin inhibited formation of the antigen-antibody-complement complex but did not inhibit agglutination of platelets. EDTA inhibited both formation of the complex and agglutination of platelets. Agglutination of platelets occurred with fresh serum from normal rabbits and guinea pigs mixed with the soluble antigens of S. typhosa and with certain dextrans reactive as “preparative” and “provocative” agents in the Shwartzman phenomenon.
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