An investigation into the use of cardiolipin antigens. II. Complement-fixing properties of cardiolipin Wassermann antigen.

Complement-Fixing Properties of Cardiolipin This reagent was examined using two ranges of 0-6 per cent. to 0 0045 per cent. One range was suspended in saline at a dilution of 1 in 50 and the other at 1 in 200. No fixation of complement was obtained when using syphilitic sera. Mixtures of cardiolipin and lecithin were next tested for their complement-fixing ability in the presence of a suitable serum. The results (Table VII) show that, with a constant lecithin content of 1-7 per cent., fixation of complement occurs when the antigens contain from 0-05 per cent. to 0-15 per cent. cardiolipin in saline suspensions of 1 in 200.