BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Vaginal yeast infections in women are usually caused by Candida albicans and, to a lesser extent, by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Studies on C. albicans have shown that it can cause sperm agglutination which can lead to lowered fertility. This study was conducted to compare the effect of S. cerevisiae and C. albicans on the fertility of ICR mouse (Mus musculus) through sperm agglutination.

METHODOLOGY: Sperm agglutinating activity was examined by mixing different concentrations of S. cerevisiae (10, 10°, and 10 CFU/mL) and C. albicans (10", 10°, and 10 CFU/mL) separately with semen from male mice of ICR strain. Determination of the effect of S. cerevisiae and C. albicans on the fertility outcome of female mice was done by intravaginal inoculation of 20 uL of 104, 106, and 108 CFU/ml of the two yeast organisms and later allowed to mate.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The study showed a statistically significantly higher percent sperm agglutination by S. cerevisiae than C. albicans at 10* CFU/ml but no difference was observed at 10° and 10 CFU/ml. No significant difference was observed in the number of sperm per agglutinate between the two yeast species at a=0.05. The concentration that exhibited the highest percentage of agglutinated sperm is 10° CFU/mL for both yeast. The most frequent type of agglutination observed in S. cerevisiae is the mixed type, while head-to-head type is most frequent in C. albicans. Both yeasts were able to cause a decline in the number of births in mice starting at 10 CFU/ml. While sperm agglutination could be one of the reasons for the infertility observed in mice, there may be other processes, mechanisms, and/or activities that could contribute to such an outcome.

We experienced two AB3 and a B3 from a 27-year-old student and his family. B3 subgroup was confirmed by delayed and weak mixed-field agglutination with anti-B serum, adsorption-elution test, serum and saliva hemagglutination inhibition test and family study. We report a family case of AB3 and B3 with brief review of literatures.
Adult ; Agglutination ; Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests ; Humans ; Saliva

We experienced two AB3 and a B3 from a 27-year-old student and his family. B3 subgroup was confirmed by delayed and weak mixed-field agglutination with anti-B serum, adsorption-elution test, serum and saliva hemagglutination inhibition test and family study. We report a family case of AB3 and B3 with brief review of literatures.
Adult ; Agglutination ; Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests ; Humans ; Saliva

BACKGROUND: Blood typing is an essential test for transfusion. Generally, blood typing is performed using a slide test, tube test or microcolumn agglutination test. The aims of this study were to develop a new blood typing kit using micromachining, microfluidics and microseparation methods, and to evaluate the clinical usefulness of the new blood typing kit. METHODS: We designed and manufactured a blood typing microchip using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), which contained a microchannel (25~200 micrometer). The blood sample and antisera to be tested were dropped on the microwell for movement and mixing by capillary action. Once agglutination occurred, the microchannel acts as a filter and the blood type was determined by observation by the naked eye. To evaluate the newtyping kit, we tested sensitivity using artificially diluted blood and compared the results of the new typing method with the slide and tube methods using 70 samples. RESULTS: The new blood typing kit could differentiate a +4~+2 agglutination reaction, but could not detect a +1 agglutination reaction as observed by the naked eye. Among 70 samples, the results of ABO and Rh typing by the new typing method (n=66, > or = +2 agglutination reaction by the column agglutination method) were in accord with the results of the tube and slide methods, but couldnot detect agglutination in all 4 clinical samples, below a +1 agglutination reaction. CONCLUSION: The new blood typing kit is inadequate for routine use in the clinical laboratory due to low sensitivity, but with further improvement, it can be used economically, conveniently and objectively for blood typing without any special equipment. Moreover, the microfludics and separation method may be broadly applicable in other tests using the hemagglutination method.
Agglutination ; Agglutination Tests ; Blood Grouping and Crossmatching* ; Capillary Action ; Hemagglutination ; Immune Sera ; Microfluidics* ; Microtechnology

BACKGROUND: The use of the microcolumn agglutination method for red cell antibody screening and identification is on the increase because it has several advantages over the conventional tube method. The aim of this study was to compare two microcolumn agglutination systems, the Ortho BioVue (Ortho-clinical Diagnostics, Amershman, Bucks, UK) and the DiaMed-ID (DiaMed Ag, Cressier, Morat, Switzerland), which are both popularly used in Korea. METHODS: We used 897 consecutive serum samples that were requested to undergo red cell antibody screening. They were collected from February, 2008 to March, 2008 at Seoul National University Boramae Hospital. All the serum samples were screened for red cell antibody by both microcolumn agglutination systems, and any positive sample by either of the two systems was re-tested for antibody identification by both systems. We followed the instructions of each manufacturer and we used the LISS/Coombs microcolumn agglutination method for red cell antibody screening and identification. RESULTS: The rate of positive screening was 0.8% by the Ortho BioVue and 0.7% by the DiaMed-ID with insignificant differences between the two systems (P=0.439). The two systems showed excellent overall concordance in screening, 99.4%. Among the 9 samples with positive screening results, we found specific antibodies in only four samples. The rate of identification was 29% (2/7) by the Ortho BioVue and 33% (2/6) by the DiaMed-ID. CONCLUSION: Both methods were very comparable on performing red cell antibody detection and identification. Thus, they could both be used in laboratories for routine tests in such a way as to compensate for any shortcomings of the other method.
Agglutination ; Antibodies ; Mass Screening

BACKGROUND: The use of the microcolumn agglutination method for red cell antibody screening and identification is on the increase because it has several advantages over the conventional tube method. The aim of this study was to compare two microcolumn agglutination systems, the Ortho BioVue (Ortho-clinical Diagnostics, Amershman, Bucks, UK) and the DiaMed-ID (DiaMed Ag, Cressier, Morat, Switzerland), which are both popularly used in Korea. METHODS: We used 897 consecutive serum samples that were requested to undergo red cell antibody screening. They were collected from February, 2008 to March, 2008 at Seoul National University Boramae Hospital. All the serum samples were screened for red cell antibody by both microcolumn agglutination systems, and any positive sample by either of the two systems was re-tested for antibody identification by both systems. We followed the instructions of each manufacturer and we used the LISS/Coombs microcolumn agglutination method for red cell antibody screening and identification. RESULTS: The rate of positive screening was 0.8% by the Ortho BioVue and 0.7% by the DiaMed-ID with insignificant differences between the two systems (P=0.439). The two systems showed excellent overall concordance in screening, 99.4%. Among the 9 samples with positive screening results, we found specific antibodies in only four samples. The rate of identification was 29% (2/7) by the Ortho BioVue and 33% (2/6) by the DiaMed-ID. CONCLUSION: Both methods were very comparable on performing red cell antibody detection and identification. Thus, they could both be used in laboratories for routine tests in such a way as to compensate for any shortcomings of the other method.
Agglutination ; Antibodies ; Mass Screening

The study carries on 87 E.coli strains. Using reversed passive latex agglutination (RPLA) technique to discover factor causing disease EspB to confirm EPEC. The result: 27 strains have no gene eae, 52 strains has eae possitive, 19 of them has Stx. In fact, following traditional, the rate infected EPEC was determined essentialy relying on slide agglutination reaction with antiserum group O of EPEC. This experience showed that the factor causing disease EspB in order to determine EPEC can apply at clinical laboratory or in community, although, most ETEC extract also EspB, Sxt and can also be determined in similar culture. This method is necessary need and significance in fact
Escherichia coli ; diagnosis ; Agglutination

BACKGROUND: Detection of anti-Kidd antibody is important because of its clinical significance. If detection is difficult due to weak serological reactivity or dosage effect, use of an enzyme method could be helpful. However, despite use of an enzyme method, we still observed weak reactivity of anti-Kidd antibody. METHODS: All identified anti-Kidd antibody cases from Jan 2012 to Aug 2015 in Asan Medical Center were reviewed. Antibody identification test was performed using the column agglutination technique using Bio-Rad ID-DiaPanel with LISS/Coombs card, Bio-Rad ID-DiaPanel-P with NaCl/Enzyme card, and ID-DiaPanel-P with LISS/Coombs card. The test results were compared. RESULTS: Sixty cases of anti-JK(a) or anti-Jk(b) were detected and tested by enzyme method. Among them, 34 (56.6%) cases showed strengthened reactivity using the ID-DiaPanel-P with NaCl/Enzyme card method. However, 26 (43.4%) cases showed weakened reactivity. Of these, 13 cases that could be tested by an additional method using ID-DiaPanel-P with LISS/Coombs card containing anti-IgG and anti-C3d showed successfully strengthened reactivity. CONCLUSION: The reactivity of anti-Kidd antibodies that was not strengthened using ID-DiaPanel-P with NaCl/Enzyme card method could be successfully strengthened by use of the ID-DiaPanel-P with LISS/Coombs card.
Agglutination ; Antibodies* ; Chungcheongnam-do

BACKGROUND: Type and screen is recommended for efficient use of blood and reduction in workload in blood bank. Column agglutiation test is standardized and easy to perform, and provide clear and stable reactions that improve the interpretation of results. In this study, we compared column agglutination test(Ortho Diagnostic Systems Inc., USA) with conventional tube test and investigate its usefulness in irregular antibody screening and identification. METHODS: A total 182 samples were screened for irregular antibodies using column agglutination test and conventional tube test. And 18 patient's sera in which irregular antibodies previously screened by both tube and column agglutination tests were identified for irregular antibodies by tube and column agglutination tests. We compared the results of two tests. RESULTS: In the screening test, there was 96.7%(176/182) agreements between column agglutination test and conventional tube test. The column agglutination test showed stronger reactivity than tube test. In the irregular antibody identification, there was 88.8%(16/18) agreement between two tests and disagreement were seen in the identification of anti-P1 and anti-Leb antibodies. CONCLUSION: The results of column agglutination test are objective and superior to the conventional tube test in irregular antibody screening and identification tests. These results suggest that the column agglutination test will be useful and more convenient test in antibody screening and identification.
Agglutination Tests* ; Agglutination* ; Antibodies ; Blood Banks ; Mass Screening*

It has become increasingly evident within the last few decades that immunologic factors are involved in some aspects of the reproductive process and hence in the physiology and pathology of genital tract. Clear-cut demonstration of the antigenic power of the spermatozoa or of whole semen in heterogeneous inoculation was first presented toward the end of last century. Around 1952, real progress widening the conception of spermatogenesis was made when a selective destruction of germinal cell! was obtained in guinea pig by auto- or homologous sensitization with a single dose of homogenate prepared from testicular tissue to which Freund`s complete adjuvant was added. The testis lesions were accompanied by development of humoral antibodies and cellular immunity. The purpose of this study is to observe the effect of homologous sensitization with homogenated testicular tissue on the spermatogenesis and immune response in mice, dividing into three groups; the first group is to give a complex of testicular extracts and Freund`s complete adjuvant (10 mice), the second group is to give a Freund's complete adjuvant alone (5 mice), the third group is normal control group (5 mice). The results were as follows: 1. The histopathologic observations revealed that spermatogenesis was more or less adversely affected exception case in group I whereas it unaffected in group II and III. The impairment of spermatogenesis was, diminished number of spermatozoa, degenerated and exfoliated germinal cells in seminiferous tubules and epididymides. 2. Diffusion test and sperm agglutination test for antibody were negative in group I as well as group II and III, which suggested that the histopathologic changes might be caused by cell mediated immune response rather than humoral antibody.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Diffusion ; Fertilization ; Guinea Pigs ; Immunity, Cellular ; Immunologic Factors ; Mice* ; Pathology ; Physiology ; Semen ; Seminiferous Tubules ; Sperm Agglutination ; Spermatogenesis* ; Spermatozoa ; Testis