Wassermann test

Wassermann test

n.

A diagnostic test for syphilis involving the fixation or inactivation of a complement by an antibody in a blood serum sample.

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[After August von Wassermann (1866-1925), German bacteriologist.]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

Wassermann test - a blood test to detect syphilis; a complement fixation test is used to detect antibodies to the syphilis organism treponema; a positive reaction indicates the presence of antibodies and therefore syphilis infection Wasserman reaction, Wassermann complement fixation test - a blood test in which a sample of serum is exposed to a particular antigen and complement in order to determine whether or not antibodies to that particular antigen are present; used as a diagnostic test