False Positive Serological Reactions for Syphilis in Smallpox Vaccinations

False positive Wassermann reaction (W-R.) and Kahn test after yaccination have been reported by a number of writers. Rein and Elsberg (1945) reviewed the literature on the subject. It was proposed to investigate the incidence of post-vaccinial seropositive reactions amongst men in Ceylon Army Command. Exigencies of service, however, did not permit completion of this survey. The results of the data available are tabulated below, as there is no possibility of getting more cases in the near future. Specimens of blood were collected from 42 Ceylonese personnel in a military camp on the 6th day after vaccination. All these men were seronegative before vaccination and had no clinical evidence of syphilis. Twenty-three out of 38 who showed negative serologic reactions on the 6th day were also examined on the 17th day and 4 cases who had doubtful or positive reactions on the 17th day were re-tested on the 33rd day. Table I shows 3 cases who had W.R. and/or Kahn tests positive or doubtful on the 6th day and 4 other cases who had negative serologic reaction on the 6th day but developed positive or doubtful reaction on the 17th day. W.R. showed changes in 6 cases. It was ? in 4 cases and 4in the other 2. Positive