The complement fixation test in syphilis, commonly known as the Wassermann test.

  • Great Britain. Ministry of Health
Date:
1920
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The complement fixation test in syphilis, commonly known as the Wassermann test. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    After 1 hour at 37° C., 0°4 of the suspension of sensitised cells was added. Readings were taken when the serum and antigen controls showed complete hemolysis, usually in 15—30 minutes. For the test at 8° C. the following scheme was em- ployed :— —_—_—— @ Jfope Tube 2. Tube 3. | Patient’s serum - - - - 0:04 0°02 0:08 Simple antigen - - - - - Oa 0-1 Complement - - - - - 0-2 0:2 0-2 Saline - - - - : - 0°3 0°3 OES The tubes were kept in the refrigerator at least four hours, and usually overnight. 0°4 c.c. sensitised cells was then added and the lower part of the tubes was immersed in a water-bath at 40° C. The readings were taken when the serum and antigen controls showed complete hemolysis, usually in 10—15 minutes. The authors classified their results as follows :— “Positive”? = fixation ranging from complete to ‘about D0) per, .cent. >> ~doubtinl. — sabouteza sper centr fixation’ or less; negative = no fixation. I—127 tests on 110 known syphilitics, of whom the majority were under treatment, and 50 were free from manifestations of syphilis at the time of the test. Percentage | Percentage Percentage positive. | doubtful. negative. | Cholesterin antigen at 37°C. - 58°2 | tao 33°8 Simple Fe 3 - 32 °2 | 0°8 66°9 i; o> OSes | fit | 4:1 18°8 I].—44 tests on 43 persons probably syphilitic. | Percentage | Percentage Percentage positive. | doubtful. negative. Cholesterin antigen at 37°C. - 65:9 4:6 29-5 Simple 5 3 = 36°3 2° 4 61:3 ” bB) 93 8° C. ot res 0 2D _ U1.—60 tests on 59 patients probably not syphilitic. Percentage Percentage Percentage positive. doubtful. negative. Cholesterin antigen at 37°C. - 40 15 45 Simple ie ; - 1:6 | 0 98°3 ; ‘ shen co ie 5 | 5 90
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