Abstract
For the purpose of obtaining information which might assist in elucidating some of the problems regarding syphilis of the nervous system, and determining whether there is any possible foundation for the assumption that a neurotropic strain of the Treponema pallidum exists, an endeavor has been made in this laboratory to secure strains of the Treponema from the brains at autopsy of cases with parenchymatous syphilis (paresis), by inoculating rabbits with the cortical material; and we have been successful in producing typical lesions in the testicles of rabbits, in which treponemata could be demonstrated.
It would seem pertinent to review briefly the observations of Noguchi in his work on rabbit syphilis. He distinguishes a difference in the morphology of several strains of Treponema pallidum. Some of the strains appear notably thinner than others, and this variation in morphology seems to have some distinct relationship to the degree of motility, the infectiousness and facility of cultivation. Three different forms are described. A thick form having a width of 0.3 of a micromillimeter, a somewhat thinner one with a thickness of 0.25 of a micromillimeter, and a thin form 0.2 of a micromillimeter in breadth.
According to Noguchi hard, indurated and sharply defined nodules are produced in the testicle by the thicker forms in five to six weeks. With the thinner types, however, the incubation period is briefer and in ten to fourteen days the testicle becomes swollen, gradually resulting in a large diffuse lesion.
In reference to the investigations which have been made with strains from the nervous system, it is interesting to note that recently Zinsser has obtained contradictory results to those of Nichols with the identical strain sent him by Nichols. Wile's work with cultures of his strain seem to support the results of Zinsser.
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