Complement-Fixation and Precipitin Tests in Trichinosis

Abstract

More than 200 serums from patients with trichinosis were studied by means of a complement-fixation test at intervals of 3, 6 and 12 weeks following the onset of acute symptoms. The maximal incidence of positive results with this procedure was 37% at the 3-week period. Incidence of positive complement-fixation reactions varied from 4 to 12% in a 2d group of presumably infected but asymptomatic cases. Comparable serologic checks were obtained from the same patients tested on 2 different intervals. Similar studies with the precipitin reaction yielded an incidence of 0-6% positive reactions. This procedure was not considered to be reliable and was not duplicable. As a result of these studies it is suggested that all serologic diagnostic tests in trichinosis be reviewed for the purpose of introducing standard methods of increased sensitivity.