Animmunofluorescence method forthediagnosis of primary syphilis using anabsorption technique

SYNOPSISAnimmunofluorescence technique fordemonstrating Treponema pallidum infixed films madefromsuspected chancre exudate isdescribed. Themethodusedisbasically a reversal ofthe fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test. Itmakesuseofthefact thatbyusing a syphilitic serumfromwhich groupantibody hasbeenabsorbed byan extract ofReiter treponemes, leaving onlyspecific antibody, Treponema pallidum canbeindentified. Neither thenon-pathogenic genital treponemes normouthtreponemes showed anyfluorescence whentested bythetechnique described. Allthereagents usedinthetest areavailable commercially, thusplacing itwithin the scopeofany laboratory withsuitable fluorescence equipment. Inthepresent state ofknowledge ofthetreponematoses, this technique would seentobethe mostaccurate means ofdiagnosing primary syphilis because itpermits thespecific identification of Treponema pallidum inchancre exudate. Ithastheadvantage overthedark-ground methodthat fixed films canbesenttothelaboratory. A fluorescent technique for demonstrating treponemes infixed films madefromsuspected chancres wasdescribed byGarner andRobsonin 1968. Itwasemphasized that this wasnotaspecific technique fordemonstrating Treponema pallidum inexudate fromchancres. Itmerely revealed, as doesthedark-ground method, thepresence of treponemes morphologically indistinguishabl e from Treponema pallidum. Thetechnique wasfelt tobe ofadvantage tothemedical practitioner whohad nofacilities fordark-ground examination inthe surgery. Itenabled himtoprepare a slide froma suspected chancre, fixit, andsendittothelaboratory forexamination (Garner, 1967). Ithasbeenshownbymanyworkers thatthe treponemes allshare a common antigen, aswell ashaving specific antigens. Treponemes include the pathogenic treponemes-pallidum, pertenue, and carateum-and thenon-pathogenic saprophytic