Incidence of reactive VDRL tests in the normal rabbit.

Experimental ocular and neurosyphilis has been investigated in this laboratory during the past 3 years in three species-rabbits, owl monkeys, and squirrel monkeys. Rabbits were selected as a control to the primate experiments because of the large available literature concerning experimental syphilis in the rabbit. During the course of these studies, it became apparent that many rabbits purchased commercially and in apparent good health were found to have reactive serum reagin tests before their use for any experiments whatever. Review of the literature revealed that such a phenomenon had been reported by Kolmer and Casselman (1913). This paper presents the findings of a study made in order to determine the incidence of reactive VDRL tests in the normal rabbit population.