Precipitin and Skin Tests as Aids in Diagnosing Trichinosis

Abstract

The value of precipitin and intradermal tests as a means of diagnosing trichinosis in man and swine is discussed. The precipitin test appears to be reliable in detecting established trichinosis in swine, and with the conditions under which the observations were made, is highly specific. Established trichinosis in man has been invariably detected by the precipitin test, but its diagnostic value is greatly diminished by the fact that it is also positive with serum from individuals who have recently received quinine treatment for malaria. Certain other drugs appear to affect this reaction in a similar manner. The intradermal test appears to be specific for trichinosis in man and swine when high dilutions of the test antigen are used. The reaction is positive in the early stages of the disease and is of the immediate type in both of these hosts. A survey of swine has shown that the precipitin and intradermal tests are more accurate than muscle examination.