THE KAHN PRECIPITATION TEST IN INFANCY AND IN EARLY CHILDHOOD:  A COMPARATIVE CLINICAL STUDY WITH THE NOGUCHI-WASSERMANN REACTION

The value of the Kahn test in the serodiagnosis of syphilis has been abundantly demonstrated since its introduction in 1922.¹ Kahn,² in 1927, compiled reports on 300,000 serums. Comparatively few observations have been made, however, in infantile and juvenile syphilis. The purpose of this report is to present observations on the sensitivity and the specificity of the Kahn test in infancy and in childhood, a comparatively neglected field.

We are in accord with Stokes³ that complete detailed clinical information concerning patients from whom serums are taken is of first importance in comparative studies of the Kahn and Wassermann tests. There has been intimate clinical contact with all patients herein reported. Our aim has been to determine the results of both Kahn and Wassermann tests in the presence and in the absence of clinical syphilis in the patient, rather than to compare the two tests with each other.