PRECIPITIN TESTS IN SYPHILIS 467 



in the intensity of the serological reactions. (Moore and Kemp, 

 1926.) For this reason the sensitivity of any reaction should be 

 correlated with a great number of clinical cases before acceptance. 

 In considering the choice of a precipitation test, the following 

 points should be considered. The test should be : 



1. Highly specific. 



2. Sensitive enough to detect very small amounts of syphilitic 

 reagin. 



3. Sufficiently quantitative to show changes in reagin during 

 antisyphilitic therapy. 



4. Decisive in results giving a very small zone of doubtful 

 reactions. 



5. Of simple technique, adequately described, giving consistent 

 results in various laboratories and not requiring special ti'aining 

 other tlian tliat of a qualified technician. 



The precipitation method and complement fixation method are 

 described as an aid to clinical diagnosis but not a substitute for 

 it. They should be iLsed accordingly. 



Several tests should be made on each serum. Such a procedure 

 is of distinct value both to the laboratory technician making the 

 lest and the physician. In this laboratory a quantitative Kolmer 

 complement fixation test, a routine Kahn, and a diagnostic Kline 

 are made on each serum. Irregular reactions can be investigated 

 carefully with such a routine. The time required for the multiple- 

 type tests is little more than that required for one type of test. 



References 



Beintema, K. : El valor practico de un sistema de euatro reacciones modernas 



de floculacion para el serodiagnostico de la siflis comparado con la 



prueba Wassermann, Biol. Asoc. nied., Puerto Rico 26: 9, 1934. 

 Bruck, C, and Hidaka, S. : Ueber Fallungserscheinungen beim Vermisehen 



von Syphilisseren mit alkoliolischen Luesleberextraken, Ztschr, f. 



Immunitatsforsch. u. exper. Therap. 8: 476, 1911. 

 Bruck, C: Eiiie sero-chemische Reaktion bei Syphilis, Miinchen. raed. 



Wchnschr. 64: 25, 1917. 

 Deissler, K., and Baker, A. B.: The Citochol Reaction for the Diagnosis of 



Syphilis, Am. J. Syph. & Neurol. 19: 48, 1935. 

 Dombrowsky, K. H.: Beitrag zum serologischen Leusnachweis, Deutsche 



med. Wchnschr. 59: 1283, 1933. 

 Eagle, H.: An Explanation of the Mechanism of the Was.sermann and 



Precipitation Tests for Svphilis, Johns Hopkins Hosp. Bull. 47: 



292, 19;i0. 



