Wassermann
n 1: German bacteriologist who developed a diagnostic test for
syphilis (1866-1925) [syn: {Wassermann}, {August von
Wassermann}]
2: 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 [syn: {Wassermann
test}, {Wasserman reaction}, {Wassermann}]