Assessment on applying of aldehyde fixed horse erythrocytes in hemagglutination inhibition assay

Objective To assess aldehyde fixed horse erythrocytes used in hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay to detect HI antibodies against avian influenza viruses.Methods Glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde fixed horse erythrocytes were used in the HI assay.The results of aldehyde fixed horse erythrocytes HI antibody against influenza A (H5N1) virus was compared with the one of fresh horse erythrocytes.Results There was no significant difference on detecting H5N1 virus HI antibody between using glutaraldehyde fixed horse erythrocytes with 2.5％ glycerol suspension and using fresh erythrocytes.Conclusions The aldehyde fixed horse erythrocytes can be preserved longer and are suitable used in HI assays to detect avian influenza antibody. Key words: Hemagglutination inhibition assay;  Avian influenza;  Aldehyde fixed erythrocytes