Hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) assays

Definition

Hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) assays are laboratory techniques used to detect the presence of specific antibodies against viruses that cause agglutination of red blood cells. It is commonly used for identifying and quantifying viral infections.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. HAI assays are primarily used to measure antibodies against influenza viruses.
2. The assay works by detecting the ability of antibodies to prevent viruses from agglutinating red blood cells.
3. A positive result in an HAI assay indicates the presence of virus-specific antibodies in the serum sample.
4. HAI assays require serial dilution of serum samples to determine antibody titers.
5. The test can be used for both diagnostic purposes and vaccine efficacy studies.

Review Questions

• What is the primary purpose of hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) assays?
• How does an HAI assay indicate a positive result?
• For what types of studies are HAI assays commonly employed?

Related terms

Hemaglutination: The clumping together of red blood cells, typically caused by viruses or other agents.

Antibody Titer: The concentration of antibodies in the blood, as determined by serological tests like HAI.

Serological Tests: Tests that detect and measure antibodies or antigens in blood samples to diagnose infections.