Comparison of Results given by a Complement-Fixation Test for Syphilis using the Reiter Treponeme as Antigen with the Treponemal Immobilization Test

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Abstract
Using the TPI test as a baseline, the RCFT (Reiter Complement-Fixation Test) is studied in almost 200 patients with clearly defined symptomatic syphilis, in 36 patients with conditions frequently associated with biologic false positivity and in over 600 patients whose syphilitic status was not known. In addition, 3 standard tests were made. The RCFT utilizes a suspension of whole phenol-killed Reiter spirochetes. Although in almost all instances the RCFT paralleled the TPI test more closely than did the standard tests studied, its results were far from identical with the TPI test. The RCFT is considered a variant of standard tests for syphilis rather than a treponemal test.