The Mode of Action of Formaldehyde on Complement Fixation Systems

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The action of formaldehyde in intensifying and in accelerating the fixation of complement has been shown in studies previously reported (1, 2 and 3). Not only is this sensitizing action of formaldehyde exhibited in specific systems in which the antigenic component is formed, such as the bacterial cell, but it also is manifest in the non-specific Wassermann system in which the antigen is composed of unformed materials. With the formaldehyde in appropriate concentrations the sensitizing action is specific, but the nature of the change induced by the formaldehyde has not been entirely clear, and a study of the mode of action necessitates the use of specific antigens rather than the use of antigenic systems as employed in the Wassermann reaction. To this end, studies along various lines have been made and the work here reported embodies the results of some of these experiments.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: