Serological Reagents 

 for Diagnosis of Syphilis 



The exacting technique of serological diagnostic methods requires carefully 

 prepared and standardized materials. The reagents listed in this section are pre- 

 pared for the diagnosis of syphilis by means of the complement-fixation and 

 precipitation tests. Each preparation of Bacto-Beef Heart, or Bacto-Kahn 

 Beef Heart, is tested and approved for the preparation of antigens, before re- 

 lease. The complete antigens for the diagnosis of syphilis are prepared in strict 

 accordance with the published methods. Before distribution each lot of antigen 

 is tested and approved for its sensitivity and specificity by the author serologist 

 or by a laboratory designated by him for that purpose. Thus, users of Bacto- 

 Antigens are assured of the most satisfactory reagent for the performance of the 

 various tests. 



Complete antigens prepared with purified cardiolipin and lecithin are de- 

 scribed in this section. These antigens are in exact agreement with the formula 

 given by the author serologists using cardiolipin and lecithin prepared according 

 to the directions given by Pangborn. Additional cardiolipin-lecithin reagents will 

 be prepared as required. The cardiolipin is prepared under license from the 

 New York State Health Department. 



Additional antigens and reagents for syphilology are available and descriptions 

 will be given upon request. 



REAGENTS FOR 

 COMPLEMENT-FIXATION TESTS 



BAGTO-KOLMER IMPROVED ANTIGEN (B304) 



Bacto-Kolmer Improved Antigen is prepared according to the directions 

 given by Kolmer and Lynch.^ It consists of an alcoholic extract of acetone and 

 ether extracted Bacto-Beef Heart, fortified with 0.4 per cent Bacto-Gholesterol. 

 In the Kolmer simplified and quantitative complement-fixation tests for syphilis, 

 these authors^ report this antigen to give the same sensitivity as cardiolipin anti- 

 gen (Kolmer); the specificity of the antigens with sera and spinal fluids of pre- 

 sumably normal nonsyphilitic individuals was found to be equal. 



lAm. J. Clin. Path., 18:731:1948. 

 * Texas State J. Med., 44:312:1948. 



BAGTO-KOLMER IMPROVED ANTIGEN (B305) 

 (REENFORGED) 



Bacto-Kolmer Improved Antigen (Reenforced) is prepared according to the 

 formula described by Kolmer and Lynch. ^ In the preparation of this antigen 

 Bacto-Beef Heart is extracted with acetone followed by ether and then with 



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