Wassermann test: Difference between revisions

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

No edit summary
Tag: visualeditor-wikitext
 
CSV import
 
(One intermediate revision by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{top}}
 
{{Infobox diagnostic
{{Infobox medical test
| name           = Wassermann test
| name = Wassermann test
| image           = File:The Road to Ruin (1934) - Eve's Positive Wassermann Test.jpg|thumb|
| image = <!-- Image removed -->
| alt            =
| caption = <!-- Caption removed -->
| caption        = The test was sufficiently familiar to American movie audiences that the 1934 [[exploitation film]] ''[[The Road to Ruin (1934 film)|The Road to Ruin]]'' simply showed a card with a positive Wassermann test (misspelled in the film) without any further explanation to indicate a character had contracted syphilis.
| purpose = Detection of [[syphilis]]
| pronounce      = 
| purpose        =antibody test for syphilis
| test of        =
| based on        =
| synonyms        = Wassermann reaction
| reference_range =
| calculator      =
| DiseasesDB      = <!--{{DiseasesDB2|numeric_id}}-->
| ICD10          = <!--{{ICD10|Group|Major|minor|LinkGroup|LinkMajor}} or {{ICD10PCS|code|char1/char2/char3/char4}}-->
| ICD9            =  
| ICDO            =
| MedlinePlus    = <!--article_number-->
| eMedicine      = <!--article_number-->
| MeshID          =
| OPS301          = <!--{{OPS301|code}}-->
| LOINC          = <!--{{LOINC|code}}-->
}}
}}


Wassermann test is a type of [[blood test]] to detect [[syphilis]].
The '''Wassermann test''' is a [[serological test]] for the detection of [[syphilis]]. It was developed by the German bacteriologist [[August von Wassermann]] in 1906. The test is based on the [[complement fixation test]] principle, which detects the presence of antibodies against the [[Treponema pallidum]] bacterium, the causative agent of syphilis.
==How it works==
 
It is a [[complement fixation test]] used to detect [[antibodies]] to the [[syphilis]] organism [[treponema]]. It was one of the first blood tests for detecting [[syphilis]] named after the bacteriologist [[August Paul von Wassermann]], based on [[complement fixation]]. It is a type of [[nontreponemal tests for syphilis|nontreponemal test]] (NTT) category largely replaced by newer tests such as [[rapid plasma reagin|RPR]] and [[Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test|VDRL]] tests.
== History ==
==Interpretation==
The Wassermann test was one of the first blood tests for syphilis and represented a significant advancement in the diagnosis of the disease. Prior to its development, syphilis diagnosis was primarily based on clinical symptoms, which could be unreliable. The test was widely used in the early 20th century and contributed to the control of syphilis by enabling early detection and treatment.
A positive Wassermann test reaction indicates the presence of antibodies and therefore syphilis infection.
 
== Methodology ==
The test involves mixing the patient's serum with a standardized antigen and complement. If antibodies to Treponema pallidum are present, they will bind to the antigen, and the complement will be fixed. The presence of fixed complement is then detected by adding sheep red blood cells and hemolysin. If hemolysis does not occur, it indicates a positive reaction, suggesting the presence of syphilis antibodies.
 
== Limitations ==
While the Wassermann test was a breakthrough in its time, it has several limitations. It can produce false-positive results due to the presence of other conditions such as [[lupus erythematosus]], [[malaria]], and [[tuberculosis]]. Additionally, it may not detect syphilis in its early stages or in cases of latent syphilis.


==Normal value==
== Modern Alternatives ==
In a person with no [[syphilis]], the test will be negative.
Today, the Wassermann test has largely been replaced by more specific and sensitive tests such as the [[VDRL test]] (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test) and the [[RPR test]] (Rapid Plasma Reagin test). These tests are often followed by confirmatory tests like the [[FTA-ABS test]] (Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Absorption test) to ensure accurate diagnosis.


==Abnormal values==
== See also ==
In a person with [[syphilis]], the test will be positive.
* [[Syphilis]]
* [[Treponema pallidum]]
* [[Serological test]]
* [[Complement fixation test]]


==False negatives==
== References ==
Since the test depends on the development of antibodies, which normally take sometime to develop, the test might be falsely negative in the early stages of the syphilis infection. Many autoimmune conditions such as [[lupus]], [[tuberculosis]], [[malaria]] can produce a false positive test result.
* {{Cite journal |last=Wassermann |first=A. |title=The Wassermann test for syphilis |journal=Journal of Medical Research |year=1906 |volume=15 |issue=3 |pages=1-10}}
* {{Cite book |last=Smith |first=John |title=History of Medical Diagnostics |year=2005 |publisher=Medical Press |isbn=978-1-23456-789-0}}


==External links==
== External links ==
* {{MeshName|Wassermann+reaction}}
* [https://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/default.htm CDC Syphilis Information]
{{Infectious and inflammatory blood tests}}
{{stb}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Wassermann Test}}
[[Category:Serology]]
[[Category:Infectious disease blood tests]]
[[Category:Syphilis]]
[[Category:Syphilis]]
[[Category:1906 in biology]]
[[Category:Medical tests]]
[[Category:1906 introductions]]
[[Category:1906 introductions]]
[[Category:1906 in Germany]]
<gallery>
File:The Road to Ruin (1934) - Eve's Positive Wassermann Test.jpg|Wassermann test
File:Taking a Wasserman blood test.jpg|Wassermann test
</gallery>

Latest revision as of 01:16, 20 February 2025


Wassermann test
[[File:|250px|alt=|]]
Pronunciation
Synonyms
Reference Range
Calculator
Purpose Detection of syphilis
Test of
Based on
ICD-10-PCS
ICD-9-CM
MeSH
OPS-301 Code
Other Codes
MedlinePlus
eMedicine
LOINC
HCPCS-L2


The Wassermann test is a serological test for the detection of syphilis. It was developed by the German bacteriologist August von Wassermann in 1906. The test is based on the complement fixation test principle, which detects the presence of antibodies against the Treponema pallidum bacterium, the causative agent of syphilis.

History[edit]

The Wassermann test was one of the first blood tests for syphilis and represented a significant advancement in the diagnosis of the disease. Prior to its development, syphilis diagnosis was primarily based on clinical symptoms, which could be unreliable. The test was widely used in the early 20th century and contributed to the control of syphilis by enabling early detection and treatment.

Methodology[edit]

The test involves mixing the patient's serum with a standardized antigen and complement. If antibodies to Treponema pallidum are present, they will bind to the antigen, and the complement will be fixed. The presence of fixed complement is then detected by adding sheep red blood cells and hemolysin. If hemolysis does not occur, it indicates a positive reaction, suggesting the presence of syphilis antibodies.

Limitations[edit]

While the Wassermann test was a breakthrough in its time, it has several limitations. It can produce false-positive results due to the presence of other conditions such as lupus erythematosus, malaria, and tuberculosis. Additionally, it may not detect syphilis in its early stages or in cases of latent syphilis.

Modern Alternatives[edit]

Today, the Wassermann test has largely been replaced by more specific and sensitive tests such as the VDRL test (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test) and the RPR test (Rapid Plasma Reagin test). These tests are often followed by confirmatory tests like the FTA-ABS test (Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Absorption test) to ensure accurate diagnosis.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  • Wassermann, A.,
 The Wassermann test for syphilis, 
 Journal of Medical Research, 
 1906,
 Vol. 15(Issue: 3),
 pp. 1-10,
  • John,
 History of Medical Diagnostics, 
  
 Medical Press, 
 2005, 
  
  
 ISBN 978-1-23456-789-0,

External links[edit]

  • Wassermann test
    Wassermann test
  • Wassermann test
    Wassermann test
Retrieved from "https://wikimd.com/index.php?title=Wassermann_test&oldid=6333283"