In Comparison with Wassermann-Test carried out hiertofore using caldiolipin antigen, RPCF-Test which has been recently introduced in our Country as a method of serodiagnostic test for syphilis seems to show a higher specifity because of the treponemal antigen. No particular false-positive reactions have been reported in non-syphilitic diseasesexcept in cases of Yaws, Pinta and Leprosy.
As already described in our previous report, a number of false-positive reactionswere found in pregnancy, tuberculosis and cancer, i.e. apparently non-syphilitic diseases.
In this paper influences of different antigens and techniques on the outcome of the test were investigated and the results were as follows:
1. From the differennce in antigens and techniques in the RPCF-Test, the results are considerably influenced, and false-positive reactions might be induced.
In case of pregnancy, it may be more severely influenced by the difference in antigens than by that in techniques, in contrast to the tuberculosis. On the other, in case of cancer, severe influences by both of them could be observed.
2. Regarding the sensitivity in RPCF-Test, the modified Kolmer's methoed has shown the most excellent result, followed by the Ogata-over-night method and the Ogata-one-hour method.
On the other hand the frequency of false-positive reactions was also according tothis order.
3. The majority of the cases which showed positive reactions in both of the Modified Kolmer's method and the Ogata-over-nght method whilst non-reactive in the Ogata-onehour method, could be found among the cases which were diagnosed as latent syphilis and fully treated.
4. Regarding the antigen, the domestic RPCF antigen has shown a higher sensitivity compared with the Organon's antigen (Holland), whilst the frequency of the false-positive reactions has been higher in the former than in the latter.
From this view-point, further investigations on the selection of the strain and the purification method should be required.
View full abstract