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hemagglutination inhibition test (HAI)
Indications:
- determination of antibodies directed against influenza virus
- assessment of immunity to influenza
Clinical significance:
- a titer of 1:40 is associated with a 50% reduction in risk of influenza
Principle:
- influenza virus particles contain an envelope protein called hemagglutinin which binds to sialic acid receptors on cells, including erythrocytes
- viruses thus agglutinate RBCs via hemagglutinin binding to RBCs
- antibodies directed against these viruses will inhibit hemagglutination
- hemagglutination inhibition is thus a measure of antibodies direct against hemagglutinating viruses
Related
influenza
Orthomyxoviridae (influenza virus)
General
clinical hematology test
References
- Influenza hemagglutination inhibition assay
http://www.virology.ws/2009/05/27/influenza-hemagglutination-inhibition-assay/