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BACTERIOLOGY FOR NURSES 



The reaction may be represented thus : 



(1) Antigen+^^+Complement 

 Red blood cells -f-Hemoly tic amboceptor 



(2) 



Red blood cells +Hemoly tic amboceptor 



Positive reaction ; no he- 

 molysis, the complement 

 having combined with 

 the antigen and specific 

 amboceptor in patient's 



Negative reaction ; hemoly- 

 sis occurs. Since there is 

 no amboceptor in the 



= patient's serum the com- 

 plement was free to unite 

 with the red blood cells 

 and their amboceptor. 



The Wassermann test for syphilis has the same principle, save that 

 the antigen is a different preparation. 



The reaction may vary all the way from a complete absorp- 

 tion of complement to a non-absorption. Complete absorption 

 of a given amount of complement is regarded as strongly positive 

 and is frequently reported as four plus (+ + + +) A one plus 

 reaction is considered as only doubtful unless recovery is taking 

 place as a result of medication. 



The relation between the various antigens and their antibodies 

 may be tabulated as follows : 



ANTIGENS 



Soluble toxins (bacterial or other) 

 Animal and vegetable protein 

 Bacteria 



Bacteria and red blood cells 

 Bacteria and red blood cells and animal 

 cells 



ANTIBODIES 



Antitoxins 

 Precipitins 

 Opsonins 

 Agglutinins 



Bacteriolysins, hemolysins, 

 cytolysins 



