Lupus Erythematosus: Serologic and Chemical Aspects

IT IS THE purpose of this paper to discuss the problem of the biologic false positive reactions in the serologic test for syphilis in lupus erythematosus and to report the results of a study of this problem. The serum protein changes in lupus erythematosus will be considered, and their possible relation to the production of biologic false positive reactions will be discussed. The most complete review of the literature on the problem of the false positive reaction in lupus erythematosus was given by C. J. White¹in 1947. Gennerich²was probably the first to suggest its existence. Keil³reported 10 cases of lupus erythematosus with positive reactions in Wassermann tests of the blood and made the statements that reactions to serologic tests may fluctuate widely with different technics and that a high Wassermann titer carried a bad prognosis. In 1 of his cases there