Haemagglutination and Haemagglutination-Inhibition Reactions of Extracts from Snails and Sponges

Abstract

The results of agglutination and agglutination-inhibition experiments with two sponge extracts (Axinella sp. and Cliona celata) and three snail extracts (Achatina granulata, Theba pisana and Helicella virgola, banded form) are reported. The extracts which show D-galactose specificity and are also inhibited by sugars related to D-galactose or containing it, have been subdivided into 1. a subgroup with no blood group specificity to which belong Axinella sp., Cliona celata and Ricinus communis extract and 2. another subgroup with B-like specificity to which belong extracts of Helicella virgata (banded form), Bandeiraea simplicifolia and Fomes fomentarius extracts. Extracts of subgroup 1. but not of subgroup 2. are inhibited by Pn XIV polysaccharide. In spite of anti-B-like specificity, extracts belonging to subgroup 2. are just as well or even better inhibited by NAcgal than by D-galactose. The extracts of Achatina granulata and Theba pisana lack D-galactose specificity. Achatina granulata extract was inhibited by NAcgal, NAcglu and NANA; Theba pisana extract only by NANA. Theba pisana extract agglutinated only neuraminidase-treated red cells, Helicella virgata (banded form) extract only enzyme-treated B cells. inhibited by NAcgal, NAcglu and NANA; Theba