AN EFFECT OF ANTIGEN-ANTIBODY INTERACTION ON BLOOD COAGULATION

Each of several antigen-antibody systems studied has been found to affect the coagulation mechanism in the rabbit, causing a marked shortening of the coagulation time in vitro of samples of whole blood maintained in siliconized glassware. Addition of specific antigen to the blood of actively immunized animals or addition of antigen-antibody mixtures to the blood of normal animals produced the effect. The coagulation time of plasma was not affected, indicating that the phenomenon may be mediated by an effect on platelets. This effect of antigen-antibody interaction may be involved in the production of tissue damage in vivo.