human erythrocyte agglutination test


human erythrocyte agglutination test

 an adaptation of the sheep cell agglutination test; human Rh-positive cells coated with incomplete anti-Rh antibody are used instead of the sheep red blood cells sensitized with rabbit gamma globulin. The sera of some patients with rheumatoid arthritis will agglutinate these cells. The agglutination may be inhibited by some normal sera, and not others, and this test is the basis for the determination of the inherited gamma globulin groups (Gm system). Abbreviated HEAT.