Investigations on the Problem of Immunity Against Spirochæta Pallida in General Paralytics Treated with Malaria

Abstract

In order to elucidate the role of the humoral factor in the therapeutic effect of malaria m general paralysis, sera of malaria treated general para lytics were examined for the presence of antibodies against the syphilis spirochete. No difference was found between the syphilitic sera and non-syphilitic control sera as to their influence on the motility of spirochetes derived from syphilitic rabbit chancres. There was also no evidence of the existence of agglutinins and antibodies producing the adhesion phenomenon with such spirochetes. Examinations in vivo did not reveal the existence of bactericidal or bacteriotropic antibodies against chancre spirochetes. The author concludes that the mechanism leading to the improvement of general paralysis is not of humoral, but of cellular nature.