Journal of the American Medical Association · 1957 · 35 citations · 3 references
Life SciencesImmunologyAutoimmunityClinical ImmunologyImmunopathologyAutoimmune Disease DiagnosticsAutoimmune DiseasesDiagnostic EvaluationFalse PositivesSystemic Autoimmune DiseaseSystemic Lupus ErythematosusFalse Positive FindingsFalse Positive ReactionsSyphilis DiagnosticsSystemic Disease CorrelationSystemic Lupus Erythematosus AssociationsSystemic Lupus Erythematosus DiagnosticsSystemic Symptom EvaluationYoung Women
• The Treponema pallidum immobilization test, a specific means of diagnosing the biologic false-positive reactor, will separate syphilitic from nonsyphilitic patients, within minor limitations. However, the diagnosis of biologic false-positive reactor raises significant questions concerning the patient. Of 555 patients having this diagnosis, 21.6% had systemic disease in one form or another, 2% having systemic lupus erythematosus. Alertness to the finding of a biologic false-positive reaction is indicated, especially in young women; such findings require careful follow-up, including a search for vague signs and symptoms of a previously undiscovered systemic illness.
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