The effect of glutaraldehyde on the stability of erythrocytes and on virus receptor substances.

Fixation with glutaraldehyde at a concentration above 0.05 per cent for 1 h at neutrality rendered erythrocytes resistant towards surfactants as Triton X-100, Tween-80 and sodium dodecyl sulphate. Fixation of erythrocytes with low concentrations of glutaraldehyde abolished the lytic effect of membrane active proteins as complement, phospholipase C and staphylococcal alpha-toxin. The fixation procedure did not alter significantly the receptor groups on erythocytes for viruses of the ortho- and para-myxo group and rubella virus. The fixation reduced the agglutinability of human O-erythrocytes by reovirus.