latex agglutination

Indications

• screening test for anti-microbial antibodies or microbial antigens

Specimen

• urine
• peripheral blood
• CSF

Procedure

• latex beads coated with a specific antibody or antigen
• if the suspected substance is present, the latex beads will agglutinate
• results may be read with a nephlometer
• turn-around time: 15-60 minutes

More general terms

• immunoassay
• agglutination