On the question of the practical value of the Stamm antigen according to Kalinin and Ginsburg

Soon after the Wassermann reaction was introduced for the diagnosis of syphilis, aspirations appeared that had the goal, on the one hand, to improve the method of serodiagnosis of syphilis in the sense of obtaining more accurate results, since the Wassermann reaction, even with the most careful formulation, is still sometimes gave unsatisfactory results, on the other hand, a simplification of this technique, in order thereby to be able to apply serodiagnostic methods in primitive laboratory conditions, without laboratory animals.

Diagnostic significance of the Wassermann reaction in obstetrics

According to G. Richter's observations (report in Zentr. F. Gyn., 1923, No. 35), in assessing this value, a strict distinction must be made between pregnant women in the early stages of pregnancy, on the one hand, and pregnant women in the later stages, and also by women in labor and parturient women shortly after childbirth, on the other: while in the former a positive RW indicates the presence of lues, in the latter it cannot be given the same diagnostic value to a positive result.

To serodiagnosis of syphilis

Stiden (Bp. Delo, 1924, No. 10) of all sedimentary reactions proposed for the diagnosis of syphilis, especially recommends the Kahn reaction, which, on the one hand, is distinguished by the simplicity of technical implementation, and on the other hand, it is not inferior in accuracy and sensitivity to the Wassermann reaction. a The main extract for this reaction is prepared in the following way: a fresh cow heart turns into a cutlet mass, dried in a thermostat at 37 in open Petri cups and passed several times through a coffee mill, after which it is ground in a mortar into a fine powder

Interdisciplinary integration of microbiology and psychiatry in diagnostics of progressive paralysis

Annotation. The article argues the importance of interdisciplinary integration of theoretical and clinical disciplines in the preparation of a doctor. The purpose of the work is to ensure the formation of an integrated system of knowledge, skills and practical skills necessary to justify the diagnosis of neurosyphilis of syphilis, methods of laboratory diagnostics and etiological therapy of progressive paralysis, which are laid down when studying a course of Microbiology and are fixed when mastering the educational discipline of Psychiatry and Narcology. Over the past 30 years, an increase in the incidence of syphilis has been observed throughout the world, and the number of cases of neurosyphilis and late forms of the disease has been increasing. This can be attributed to the late visits of patients to the doctor, the widespread uncontrolled unqualified treatment and the frequent association of syphilis and HIV infection. The main clinical signs of progressive paralysis are cognitive impairment, impaired regulation of voluntary activity, emotional and behavioral disorders, pseudo-neurotic symptoms, uncriticality, pathognomonic and nonspecific neurological disorders. For diagnosis, neuropsychological scales are used as screening techniques. As a rule, the diagnosis is confirmed by positive standard serological reactions: the Wassermann complement binding reaction, the pale treponema immobilization reaction, and the immune fluorescence reaction. For the diagnosis of late and latent forms of syphilis, the result of which is the development of progressive paralysis, Wassermann reaction with cerebrospinal fluid is also used. From modern studies, enzyme immunoassay and the molecular genetic method, the Lange reaction are used. Of great importance are laboratory indicators of the presence of inflammatory phenomena and neuroimaging methods. Thus, reliable diagnosis of progressive paralysis using the clinical anamnestic method, neuropsychological scales, laboratory methods of research and assessment of neurological status will help to solve the main task of the doctor — to help the patient by prescribing reasonable etiotropic and pathogenetic therapy.

Medical and Social Aspects of Syphilis in the Balkans from the mid-19th Century to the Interwar

The current study presents some aspects of syphilis in the Balkan Peninsula from the 19th century until the Interwar. Ever since the birth of modern Balkan States (Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey and Serbia), urbanization, poverty and the frequent wars have been considered the major factors conducive to the spread of syphilis. The measures against sex work and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) were taken in two aspects, one medical and the other legislative. In this period, numerous hospitals for venereal diseases were established in the Balkan countries. In line with the international diagnostic approach and therapeutic standards, laboratory examinations in these Balkan hospitals included spirochete examination, Wassermann reaction, precipitation reaction and cerebrospinal fluid examination. Despite the strict legislation and the adoption of relevant laws against illegal sex work, public health services were unable to curb the spread of syphilis. Medical and social factors such as poverty, citizen’s ignorance of STDs, misguided medical perceptions, lack of sanitary control of prostitution and epidemiological studies, are highlighted in this study. These factors were the major causes that helped syphilis spread in the Balkan countries during the 19th and early 20th century. The value of these aspects as a historic paradigm is diachronic. Failure to comply with the laws and the dysfunction of public services during periods of war or socioeconomic crises are both factors facilitating the spread of STDs.