The latex agglutination test is a test done in a lab to check for certain antibodies or antigens in body fluids including saliva, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, or blood.
The test depends on what type of sample is needed.
The sample is sent to a lab, where it is mixed with latex beads coated with a specific antibody or antigen. If the suspected substance is present, the latex beads will clump together (agglutinate).
Latex agglutination results take about 15 minutes to an hour.
Your health care provider may tell you to limit certain foods or medicines shortly before the test. Follow instructions on how to prepare for the test.
This test is a quick way to find out if an antigen or antibody is present or not. Your provider will base your treatment, in part, on the results of this test.
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.
If there is an antigen-antibody match, agglutination will occur.
The risk level depends on the type of test.
URINE AND SALIVA TESTS
There is no risk with the urine or saliva test.
BLOOD TEST
Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Getting a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks from having blood drawn are slight, but may include:
CEREBROSPINAL FLUID TEST
Risks of lumbar puncture include:
Aoyagi K, Ashihara Y, Kasahara Y. Immunoassays and immunochemistry. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 45.
BACK TO TOPReview Date: 9/18/2023
Reviewed By: Anna C. Edens Hurst, MD, MS, Associate Professor in Medical Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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