COMPLEMENT FIXATION IN YAWS. 



By Fked B. Bowmax. 

 (From the Biological Laboratory, Bureau of Science, Manila, P. I. 



There is still some doubt concerning the nosologic position of yaws ; 

 some eminent authorities believing it to be a modified- form of syphilis, 

 while others consider it a separate and distinct disease. 



Castellani * in 1905 attempted to transmit the disease to a purple-faced monkey, 

 but without success. However, in 1906, he was able to infect one out of three 

 monkeys inoculated. This animal later was successfully inoculated with syphilis. 

 Neiser. Bauerman and Halberstadter, 2 in 1906, found that all classes of monkeys 

 could be inoculated with yaws and that monkeys immunized against syphilis did 

 not become immune to yaws. 



Castellani also applied the Bordet-Gengou reaction to yaws, following the 

 technique used by Wasserinann, Neiser and Brack, 3 and was able to demonstrate 

 specific yaws antibodies and antigen. The following is a brief summary of his 

 results : 



"I. Extract of nonulcerated yaws papules containing Spirochwta pertenuis + 

 serum from a monkey infected with yaws + complement (fresh guinea pig's 

 serum) and later, sensitized goat corpuscles. Result: No haemolysis. 



"II. Same as I, but in the place of yaws papules extract, extract of leprosy 

 nodules used. Result: Haemolysis. 



'Til, IV and V. The same experiment was performed, using extracts or pseudo- 

 granuloma pyogenicum, syphilitic condylomata and syphilitic primary sore. 

 Result : Haemolysis. 



"VI. Extract of yaws papules from six different cases of yaws and serum from 

 a monkey immunized against syphilis. Result : Haemolysis. 



"VII. Extract of yaws papules and normal monkey serum. Result : Haemolysis. 



"VIII. Extract of Spleen juice from a ease of yaws and serum of a monkey in- 

 fected with yaws. Result: No haemolysis. 



"IX. Same as VIII, except that serum from a syphilitic monkey was iised. 

 Result: Haemolysis." 



Castellani sums up the preceding experiments by saying : "The above experi- 

 ments show that it is possible to detect specific-yaws antigen in the yaws papules 

 and in the spleen of cases of yaws and specific yaws antibodies in the blood of 

 monkeys treated with inoculation of yaws material." 



1 Journ. Eyg. Cambridge (1907), 7, 558. 



2 Miinchener med. Wchnschr. (1906), 53, 1337. 

 "Deutsche med. Wchnschr. (1906), 22, 745. 



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