Abstract
SEROLOGIC tests for syphilis have come to be recognized as necessary laboratory aids in the diagnosis, management and prognosis of clinical syphilis. Yet, for many years the actual antigen-antibody mechanisms involved have not been adequately explained. The apparent anomaly of lipidal beef heart antigen's being associated with a high degree of specificity in reacting with syphilitic serum has been a source of much concern, especially to the immunologist. It is not the purpose of this report to solve this vexing problem, but to review the present immunologic and physicochemical concepts of the nature of the antigens and antibodies involved. ANTIGENS The nature of the antigens involved in the serologic tests for syphilis will be considered first. In the original serologic test for syphilis, Wassermann, Neisser and Bruck1discovered that aqueous extracts of syphilitic tissue effected complement fixation when mixed with syphilitic serum. One year later, Laridsteiner and
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