Immunochemical Behavior and Isolation of Equine Hemagglutinins Found in Normal and Hyperimmune Serum
Date of Award
1969
Document Type
Thesis
Publication Status
Version of Record
Submission Date
October 2026
Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]
Saurino, Vincent R.
Abstract
In studying Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), a specific viral disease of Equidae, characterized by intermittent fever, anemia and progressive weakness, questions have arisen as to the existence of a viral hemagglutinin. Raised hemagglutinin levels are present in the infected sera, but this is further complicated by the fact that some horse serums contain relatively high levels of hemagglutinins which are believed to be non-specific natural agglutinins. This investigation, which parallels research currently in progress on the EIA virus proper, is designed to characterize those agglutinins found in non-infected sera. Two principal types of equine hemagglutinins were studied; (1) the natural occurring non-specific blood agglutinin, and (2) hyperimmune isoagglutinins produced in a primary immune response following injection of heterogenic equine erythrocytes. Both species of agglutinins were obtained from whole serum. Standard immunological techniques such as reduction and alkylation, heat inactivation, ion-exchange chromotography, density gradient ultracentrifugation, and electrophoresis were employed in the investigation of structural and biological characteristics of the hemagglutinins. The results have shown that natural equine hemagglutinins are heterospecific. They are sensitive to heat (56°C) and reducing agents such as mercaptoethanol. Natural agglutinins have a sedimentation coefficient of 18.65 and electrophoretically migrate as alpha2 globulins. The hyperimmune isohemagglutinin is a specific antibody reactive with a well defined antigen. It is relatively heat stabile and hemagglutinating activity is reduced with mercaptoethanol. Similarly, the isoagglutinin has the some sedimentation coefficient and electrophoretic mobility as the natural antibody. The isoagglutinin is unique in that it represents a new class of antibody not previously reported.
Extent
72 p.
Recommended Citation
Monkus, Thomas P., "Immunochemical Behavior and Isolation of Equine Hemagglutinins Found in Normal and Hyperimmune Serum" (1969). Electronic Theses and Dissertations 1966 - 1969. 39.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_general_1/39
Identifier
FA00000800
Comments
Includes bibliography.|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1969.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Includes bibliography.