A New Serologic Diagnostic Method of Syphilis with Treponema pallidum Cell Components Adsorbed in Sensitized Carbon Particles as Antigen

Abstract

A new serologic method was devised for the diagnosis of syphilis. It was an indirect agglutination reaction for which sonicated virulent Trepanema pallidum (TP) cell components served as antigen after adsorbed in carbon particles 5-10 microns in diameter (prepared from charcoal by refining). This reaction was studied for conditions of occurrence.
This antigen consisting of TP-sensitized carbon particles was mixed with human or rabbit syphilitic serum adsorbed in coarse carbon powder sensitized with TP Reiter strain cell components, or with solutions of γ and β-globulin separated from syphilitic serum. Then, a typical accumulation shape of antigen-antibody combination, discernible by the naked eye, was formed at the bottom of the test tube held at 22C for approximately 30-40 minutes.
This antigen did not react at all to human or rabbit non-syphilitic serum when subjected to the absorption process. It did not produce an accumulation shape, but precipitated at the bottom of the test tube to form an antigen film.
It is believed that this method is characterized by excellent specificity, because it is handy, requires only short reaction time, and dispenses with the introduction of serum or macromolecular chemical compounds of high concentration into the reacting solution.