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. 1975 Nov;2(5):361–367. doi: 10.1128/jcm.2.5.361-367.1975

Comparison of the counter-immunoelectrophoresis technique with the Reiter protein and three other serological tests as a first line test for syphilis.

J R Bänffer, S Raghoenath, A M Hulst
PMCID: PMC274191  PMID: 1194403

Abstract

The counter-immunoelectrophoresis technique with the Reiter protein (RP-CIE) was compared with two complement fixation tests (Kolmer and RPCF) and a flocculation test (VDRL) in sensitivity and specificity. Of the 1,927 consecutive attendants of a venereal disease clinic whose serum samples were used, 250 were considered to be syphilitic. The number of true-positive and false-positive reactions were: 121 and 4 (VDRL), 124 and 2 (Kolmer), 179 and 41 (RPCF), 166 and 16 (RP-CIE). The VDRL and the RPCF combined were more sensitive and less specific than the VDRL combined with the Kolmer. If the RPCF was replaced by the RP-CIE the sensitivity remained the same but the specificity was higher. The RP-CIE scored more positives than the RPCF in untreated cases of primary syphilis. The results argue for substitution of the RP-CIE for the Kolmer in the combination with the VDRL in the serodiagnosis for syphilis. Moreover, the RP-CIE presents the technical advantages of simplicity, speed of performance, and of not being hampered by the anticomplementary nature of the serum sample.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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