False positive serological reactions for syphilis in leprosy.

It was proposed at the serological laboratory for the Ceylon Army Command to study the incidence of false positive serological reactions for syphilis given by sera from cases of leprosy. This inquiry, however, had to be closed prematurely because of early demobilization of the unit. As it has not been possible for the writer to record further observations, the available data is tabulated below. Sixty-four specimens of blood from clinically non-syphilitic lepers were supplied by the superintendent of the leprosy hospital at Hendala, Ceylon. Comment The high incidence of false positive Wassermann and/or Kahn tests in this series of64 lepers, as shown in Table I (overleaf), needs no comment as the