A simple procedure for determining Lewis phenotypes in human saliva.

We have selected 4 murine monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to Lewis type blood group haptens to establish an assay in which antigens present in human saliva are bound to polystyrene beads and then detected by monoclonal antibodies in radioimmunoassay or in peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunoassay. Two of these antibodies detect both the Lea and Leb determinants (Leab), 1 antibody detects only Lea, and 1 only Leb. All Lewis phenotypes (Lea-b-, Lea+b-, Lea-b+ and Lea+b+) are easily detectable in this assay. Of the 60 individuals tested, 1 was Lea+b+, 4 Lea-b-, 12 Lea+b- and 43 Lea-b+.