THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN IMMOBILIZING AND SPIROCHETICIDAL ANTIBODIES AGAINST TREPONEMA PALLIDUM

Abstract

There is a corresponding loss of infectiousness of virulent T. pallidum (Nichols strain) as it is rendered non-motile by the immobilizing antibody. This relationship is not directly proportional and suggests that infectiousness may be diminished before motility ceases. A period of in vitro incubation is necessary to demonstrate immobilization and reduction of infectiousness. This suggests either that the initial antigen-antibody reaction was not immediate or that the antigen-antibody complex dissociated in vivo. For both the in vitro demonstration of immobilization and the in vivo demonstration of loss of infectiousness, syphilitic sera in adequate concn. and active complement are required.