Agglutination Reaction with Rickettsial Antigen

Agglutination reaction (AAR) is a laboratory method for diagnosing rickettsial infections, based on the interaction of antigen with antibodies in the patient’s blood serum.

Rickettsial antigens are protein components of rickettsia pathogens that cause diseases in humans and animals. When they enter the body, antigens penetrate the skin and mucous membranes, causing an inflammatory process.

RAP is used to diagnose rickettsiosis. Rickettsia antigens are injected into a drop of blood, which is mixed with the patient's serum. If antibodies to rickettsia are present in the blood, they bind to antigens, which leads to agglutination - sticking together of red blood cells. If there are no antigens, agglutination does not occur.

RAP is one of the most accurate methods for diagnosing rickettsial diseases. It allows you to determine the presence of the disease, its form and severity. The results of RAP are used to prescribe the correct treatment and prevention of rickettsial infections in humans and animals.