Indirect haemagglutination reaction with antigen of Sarcocystis gigantea (Railliet, 1886) Ashford, 1977.

The water extract from cryolyzed whole muscle cysts of Sarcocystis gigantea from sheep, in spite of the high lectin content, is a suitable antigen for the detection of specific antibodies by means of indirect haemagglutination reaction (IHA). The agglutinating effect of lectin from parasitic cysts can be eliminated with a 0.5% concentration of lactose dissolved in all solutions used for IHA. In sera of slaughterhouse sheep, positive titres ranging from 1:80 to 1:1 280 were registered. Positive reactions in lower titres were observed also with antibodies against S. dispersa, S. cuniculi and Sarcocystis sp. from pigs. Sensibilized erythrocytes can be stored in refrigerator at least for 1 week.