Computer-assisted reading of haemagglutination: intensity of the ABH antigens secretion into saliva

Abstract

We examined 138 saliva samples for the presence or absence of the blood antigens ABH using haemagglutination inhibition methodology. The outcomes of the tests were scanned and examined by special software, which used the HSV colour model, allowed setting the parameters in a way that enabled differentiation of agglutination clusters from suspensions of erythrocytes and subsequently calculated the area of agglutination clusters. The size of the area was (inversely) related to the presence of ABH substances in saliva. Both the secretor phenotypes and the intensity of secretion into saliva were statistically analysed in relation to gender, blood type, blood group genotype frequencies and secretor genotype frequencies.