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Wassermann

DEFINITIONS OF: Wassermann

1

n German bacteriologist who developed a diagnostic test for syphilis (1866-1925)

Synonyms:
August von Wassermann
Example of:
bacteriologist
a biologist who studies bacteria

n 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

Synonyms:
Wasserman reaction, Wassermann test
Type of:
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
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