Hemagglutination Assay (HA)

Hemagglutination Assay (HA)

Certain viruses can agglutinate the red blood cells inside specific animals, which is defined as viral hemagglutination. A hemagglutination assay (HA) is designed to speculate a virus in the tested materials and test whether this reaction is specific. However, the ability of a virus to agglutinate red blood cells can be inhibited by corresponding particular antibodies, which leads to the development of hemagglutination inhibition assay (HAI).

Through the HA-HAI test, a known serum can be used to identify unknown viruses, and known viruses can also be applied to detect the contents of corresponding antibodies and titrate antibodies in the unknown serum.

Hemagglutination assay is used in combination with interactions to create visible networks that indicate relative viral and antiviral antibody concentrations.

Hemagglutination assay is a mature method widely used in the influenza vaccine, diagnostic, and surveillance communities to measure virus and antibody titers and monitor influenza subtypes. Hemagglutination occurs when the hemagglutinin protein on the surface of the influenza virus binds to sialic acid on red blood cells (RBCs). Similarly, with a sufficient number of

viruses and red blood cells, the virus particles act as bridging agents to create a network of linked RBCs, thereby causing hemagglutination.

Hemagglutination assay is the most commonly used method for influenza virus, adenovirus, rabies virus, and many other micro-organisms detection.

It is the basis of a wide range of veterinary and life science diagnostic assay.

Creative Diagnostics provides antiviral testing and customized early detection solutions for other life science companies working in the field of antiviral and infectious disease diagnosis. We offer different opportunities to meet the needs of our clients, including a wide range of anti-virus testing options (e.g., hemagglutination assay), as well as opportunities to establish cooperative efforts.

Our Procedures

Our Features 

We choose a plate type that can clearly distinguish between positive and negative agglutination, which may vary depending on the type of red blood cell. For example, when using untreated red blood cells for analysis, a U-shaped plate is sometimes used instead of a V-shaped plate.



We use trypsinized glutaraldehyde-fixed rabbit red blood cells because trypsin treatment makes the cells more sensitive to agglutination, and glutaraldehyde fixation allows the cells to be stored for long periods (>1 month).



We extensively use erythrocytes from different species (chicken, guinea pig, goose, horse, cow, sheep, rabbit, and human types A, B, AB, and O) and use reference standards to standardize the experiment.



Because the aggregation capacity of red blood cells decreases over time, in order to ensure the repeatability of the results, we prepare fresh red blood cells every time.



HA analysis is simple and uses relatively inexpensive and commonly used instruments and supplies, and results can be provided within hours.

However, this method has been well verified in many laboratories all over the world and has a certain degree of credibility, comparability, and standardization.

Our Capabilities 

Adenovirus



Influenza virus (IFV)



Newcastle disease virus (NDV)



Rabies virus (RABV) (Other viruses or microorganisms may be available on request)

We combine infection and analytical expertise to provide our clients with the most powerful portfolio of antiviral and antimicrobial in vitro testing services. Facing an increasing demand for new antiviral and antimicrobial compounds for the treatment of infectious diseases, Creative Diagnostics can test these compounds in vitro to determine their potential efficacy in vivo models.