Heterophile Antigenicity of Hamster Tissues and Its Relation to Wassermann Reaction Induced in Normal Rabbits

Abstract

Summary and Conclusion

The presence of heterophile antigen in hamster tissues was demonstrated by direct examination for the antibodies in rabbits injected with various hamster tissues. This was confirmed by the absorption test with guinea pig kidney. That there is no relationship between heterophile antibody and a positive Wassermann reaction, induced in normal rabbits by injections of the hamster tissues, was demonstrated by the following facts. In the first place, contrary to Taniguchi's statement,⁹ it was found that although guinea pig tissue has a high heterophile antigenic power, it does not induce a positive Wassermann reaction in the normal rabbit. Secondly, after complete absorption of heterophile antibody from rabbit serum, the positivity of the Wassermann reaction is not materially reduced. Thirdly, tests made on 8 syphilitic rabbits, infected intratesticularly by injecting syphilitic rabbit testicular emulsion, showed that the sera developed strongly positive Wassermann reactions, but were negative for heterophile antibody.