Salivary anti-A and anti-B activity of group O males.

Abstract

Abstract. Anti‐A whole saliva agglutinins were detected in 98% and anti‐B in 96% of 80 group O males. After subcutaneous injection of 5 group O males with A and B blood group substances, both whole saliva and parotid saliva agglutinins increased in titer. This agglutinating activity was demonstrated to be primarily due to secretory IgA, both pre‐ and postimmunization. IgG coating activity was also demonstrated in postimmunization whole saliva. In other studies, whole saliva agglutinin titers correlated poorly with saline agglutinin, neutralization‐resistant antibody, or hemolysin titers of the corresponding sera. These findings indicate little or no value for whole saliva agglutinins in predicting the nature of serum antibody and support the concept that the secretory immunoglobulin system is distinct from the system producing circulating antibody.