IMMUNOPEROXIDASE LOCALIZATION OF TREPONEMA-PALLIDUM - ITS USE IN FORMALDEHYDE-FIXED AND PARAFFIN-EMBEDDED TISSUE-SECTIONS

Abstract

The spirochete, Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis, was successfully localized in formaldehyde-fixed and paraffin-embedded [human] tissue sections using rabbit anti-T. pallidum antiserum with 2 immunoperoxidase techniques. These techniques, the indirect peroxidase-labeled antibody method and the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method are compared for sensitivity and degree of nonspecific staining. Both offer substantial advantages over conventional Ag-impregnation techniques, but the indirect peroxidase-labeled antibody method seems better, based on the intensity of staining and the simplicity of procedure.