Forssman

Forssman antigen is a lipid found in the tissues of many species, but not in humans. It was first discovered by a Swedish physician named John Forssman. The antigen is the basis for the Forssman serological reaction, which is used in the diagnosis of certain diseases.

History

The Forssman antigen was discovered in 1911 by John Forssman. He was studying the serological reactions of different species and found that the blood of a guinea pig agglutinated when mixed with the serum of a horse. This reaction was later found to be due to the presence of the Forssman antigen in the guinea pig's tissues.

Structure and Function

The Forssman antigen is a type of glycolipid, which is a lipid with a carbohydrate attached. It is found in the tissues of many species, including sheep, goats, horses, and guinea pigs. However, it is not found in humans, except in rare cases of Forssman antibody syndrome, a condition in which the body produces antibodies against the Forssman antigen.

The function of the Forssman antigen is not well understood. It is thought to play a role in cell-to-cell interactions and may be involved in the immune response.

Forssman Serological Reaction

The Forssman serological reaction is a test that uses the Forssman antigen to diagnose certain diseases. The test is based on the principle of agglutination, which is the clumping together of cells or particles. If the Forssman antigen is present in a sample, it will cause the cells or particles to agglutinate when mixed with the serum of a horse or other animal that produces Forssman antibodies.

Forssman Antibody Syndrome

Forssman antibody syndrome is a rare condition in which the human body produces antibodies against the Forssman antigen. This can lead to a positive Forssman serological reaction, even though the antigen is not normally present in humans. The syndrome is usually benign, but it can cause complications in certain situations, such as blood transfusions.

See Also

• Serology
• Agglutination (biology)
• Antigen
• Antibody

References

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