Evaluation of an Agar Gel Precipitin Test for the Serodiagnosis of Actinomycosis

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Abstract
Summary: This study indicates that the agar gel precipitin test, used as described, cannot be relied upon for a presumptive diagnosis of actinomycosis. With the Actinomyces antigens used, precipitin bands were obtained not only with sera from patients with proven actinomycosis, but also with sera from other diseases. Attempts to relate the formation of a particular band with actinomycotic infection have not been successful thus far. The potentialities of this test should be investigated further in the hope of developing a specific and sensitive immunodiffusion test for actinomycosis. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not constitute endorsement by the Public Health Service or by the U. S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.