NEW COMPLEMENT FIXING ANTIGEN FOR SERODIAGNOSIS OF GONORRHOEA

Abstract

A new method of preparing gonococcal antigen for use in the complement fixation test is presented. Briefly, the procedure consists of extracting Neisseria gonorrhoeae cells with pyridine and then exposing the washed sediment to ultrasonic treatment.The new method is superior to that of Price by yielding highly potent, genus-specific and stable antigens, which are free of anticomplementary properties and possess a broader antigenic valence and a longer range of working antigenic power. It is simpler and more practical than Torrey's modification of the Price method since the lengthy and laborious procedure of strain selection is eliminated.In routine use for the past several years, the new antigen has proved to be specific and reliable in the complement fixation test. The test itself provides a useful supplementary aid to the laboratory diagnosis of gonorrhoea.