CHAPTER XXXVIII - SEROLOGICAL TECHNIQUE

Abstract

The serological reactions most widely used are agglutination, precipitation and complement-fixation, the latter mainly in the form of the Wassermann reaction. Agglutination is probably the most extensively applied of the serological reactions. The test may be carried out by either the macroscopic or microscopic methods; the latter are, however, less reliable than the former. A positive reaction is sometimes given with the Kahn test when the diagnosis of syphilis is most improbable. The explanation of the false reactions is unknown; they may be associated with either a pathological condition or some constitutional factor, for example, pregnancy. Complement fixation is used mainly in the diagnosis of syphilis, as the Wassermann test. It is also applied in the diagnosis of chronic gonorrhea, and virus diseases; in these cases the general technique is similar to that of the Wassermann test, the chief difference being in the nature of the antigen.