THE SERODIAGNOSIS OF MONILIASIS - ITS VALUE AND LIMITATIONS

[摘要] The historical background of the status of the MCF in the serodiagnosis of moniliasis is discussed. Preparation of a sensitive and specific monilial antigen and the technique for employing this antigen is described. The incidence of positive reactions with this test in a series of 793 patients with a variety of unselected dermatoses is 13.5%. The incidence of positive MCF results in a series of 120 sero-positive treated syphilitics is 17.5, indicating that this antigen does not contain any Wassermann-reacting lipoidal sub-stances. In a series of 48 patients with clinical moniliasis 36 or 75% gave positive MCF tests. There was no correlation between positive stool cultures and MCF results in a series of 50 patients. In a series of 186 patients with pustular skin diseases, long term tetracycline therapy did not affect MCF results. Those who were sero-negative prior to therapy remained sero-negative under therapy for as long as 4.5 months. There was no correlation between MCF and the incidence or degree of gastrointestinal complaints, such as nausea, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea or flatus. There was a marked correlation between MCF results and the development of anogenital pruritus. Of the 27 sero-positive reactors prior to tetracycline therapy, 21 (81%) developed ano-genital pruritus shortly after institution of therapy.