Also known as: wr.
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The Wasserman reaction, named after the bacteriologist August Paul von Wasserman, is a diagnostic blood test for syphilis. It was the first blood test for syphilis and is based on the complement-fixation principle. The test detects antibodies produced in response to the Treponema pallidum bacterium, which causes syphilis. Despite its historical significance, the Wasserman reaction has largely been replaced by more modern and specific tests, such as the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test and the Treponema pallidum particle agglutination assay (TPPA).
Syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection, can have serious health implications if left untreated, including neurological and cardiovascular complications. The Wasserman reaction played a pivotal role in the early detection and management of syphilis, contributing to public health efforts to control the spread of the disease. Today, while the test is not commonly used, its development marked a significant advancement in medical diagnostics and the understanding of immune responses to bacterial infections.
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