THE USE OF THE SKIN TEST WITH THE TYPE SPECIFIC POLY-SACCHARIDES IN THE CONTROL OF SERUM DOSAGE IN PNEUMOCOCCAL PNEUMONIA

Abstract

The development of a positive skin reaction with solns. of the type specific capsular polysaccharides is a valuable indicator in determining accurately the minimum effective dose of antipneumococcal serum in the treatment of pneumonia due to Pneumococcus Types I, II, III, V, VII and VIII. Care must be exercised in the use of the test since 12.5% of 104 patients showed a positive test before serum was administered and while the disease was advancing. Preps. of polysaccharides should be highly purified to avoid non-specific skin reactions, particularly that due to the species specific "C Substance" of the pneumococcus.