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‘False positive’ complement fixation with psittacosis—trachoma antigens due to antibodies in complement preparations*†
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 May 2009
Extract
Complement-fixation tests with psittacosis-trachoma group antigens, if set up with complement prepared from guinea-pigs cross-infected with any of the Bedsonia agents, may give completely false positive results. The use of C.F. positive or C.F. inhibition positive samples of guinea-pig sera as a source of complement can induce also a significant increase or decrease, respectively, of the actual C.F. titres in Bedsonia-positive serum samples tested. Observations made both in routine serology and in experimental studies show the necessity of testing carefully, for possible presence of Bedsonia titres, individual sera of guinea-pigs intended for use as source of complement in C.F. tests performed with Bedsonia group antigens.
I have pleasure in thanking Dr F. B. Gordon and Dr E. Weiss for the valuable suggestions made and HM3 C.O. Wiese for the technical assistance.
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- Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1964
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