202 



Scientific Proceedings (121). 



94 (1841) 



The applicability of the precipitin reaction in determining the 

 infectivity of discharges from gonorrheal infections. 



By MARGARET F. KELLEY. 



[From the Department of Bacteriology, University and Bellevue 

 Hospital Medical College, New York City.] 



The demonstration of gonococci by either culture or smear 

 method is difficult after the subsidence of acute gonorrheal symp- 

 toms. Complement fixation tests on the blood of treated or 

 untreated cases may give negative results. There is need there- 

 fore of a method to determine the persistence of infectiousness. 



Robinson and Meader 1 reported encouraging results with the 

 application of the precipitin reaction to discharges of gonorrheal 

 origin. We have attempted to verify their results, working under 

 a grant from the U. S. Interdepartmental Social Hygiene Board. 



Selected rabbits were immunized with live gonococci to pro- 

 duce the immune serum used for the tests. Specific gonococcus 

 antigen was prepared by autolyzing the gonococcus in salt solution 

 for several days and centrifugalizing to obtain a clear antigen. 



"Discharge extracts" from cases were prepared by adding to 

 2 c.c. of salt solution the secretions obtained from the cervix or 

 vagina. The mixture was allowed to stand over night and then 

 centrifugalized until clear. 0.2 c.c. of clarified extract was then 

 added to 0.2 c.c. of diluted immune serum and to 0.2 c.c. of diluted 

 normal serum as a control. A positive result was shown by the 

 development of a ring of varying thickness and opacity at the 

 point of contact of extract and serum or by the development of a 

 precipitate. The reaction appeared usually from two hours to 

 eighteen hours. 



With 92 specimens, smears positive, 82 per cent, gave reactions 

 with gonococcus serum while 21 per cent, gave reactions with 

 normal serum. With 49 specimens, smears negative, 61 per cent, 

 gave reactions with gonococcus serum, while 51 per cent, gave 

 reactions with normal serum. The relatively frequent reactions 



1 G. H. Robinson and P. D. Meader, The Journal of Urology, 1920, iv, 551. 



