Health Library

Latex agglutination test

The latex agglutination test is a test done in a lab to check for certain antibodies or antigens in body fluids including saliva, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, or blood.

I Would Like to Learn About:

How the Test is Performed

The test depends on what type of sample is needed.

• Saliva
• Urine
• Blood
• Cerebrospinal fluid (lumbar puncture)

The sample is sent to a lab, where it is mixed with latex beads coated with a specific antibody or antigen. If the suspected substance is present, the latex beads will clump together (agglutinate).

Latex agglutination results take about 15 minutes to an hour.

How to Prepare for the Test

Your health care provider may tell you to limit certain foods or medicines shortly before the test. Follow instructions on how to prepare for the test.

Why the Test is Performed

This test is a quick way to find out if an antigen or antibody is present or not. Your provider will base your treatment, in part, on the results of this test.

Normal Results

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.

What Abnormal Results Mean

If there is an antigen-antibody match, agglutination will occur.

Risks

The risk level depends on the type of test.

URINE AND SALIVA TESTS

There is no risk with the urine or saliva test.

BLOOD TEST

Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Getting a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks from having blood drawn are slight, but may include:

• Excessive bleeding
• Fainting or feeling lightheaded
• Blood accumulating under the skin (hematoma)
• Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

CEREBROSPINAL FLUID TEST

Risks of lumbar puncture include:

• Bleeding into the spinal canal or around the brain (subdural hematomas).
• Discomfort during the test.
• Headache after the test that can last a few hours or days. If headaches last more than a few days (especially when you sit, stand or walk) you might have a "CSF-leak". You should talk to your provider if this occurs.
• Hypersensitivity (allergic) reaction to the anesthetic.
• Infection introduced by the needle going through the skin.

Related Information

References

Aoyagi K, Ashihara Y, Kasahara Y. Immunoassays and immunochemistry. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 45.

Review Date: 9/18/2023  

Reviewed By: Anna C. Edens Hurst, MD, MS, Associate Professor in Medical Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- 2024 A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.