Efimova Reaction
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
The Efimova Reaction is a medical test performed with fresh urine, where heated urine is mixed with a solution of mercurous nitrate. Normal urine turns milky white with a white precipitate, while pathological cases show gray or black precipitates. The reaction was positive in patients with parasitic worms, but is not diagnostic for helminthiasis as it can be positive without worms and not always present when worms are present.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
Efimova Reaction, is performed with freshly voided urine and consists of adding 5-10 drops of an aqueous solution of mercurous nitrate to 5-103 of urine heated to boiling. Normal urine after the addition of the reagent becomes milky white and gives a white precipitate. In pathological cases, a gray or black coloration of the precipitate is obtained. The chemical mechanism of the reaction is unknown. Efimov obtained a positive reaction result in persons suffering from worms. For the diagnosis of helminthiasis, however, the reaction cannot serve, since in a number of cases it is positive even in the absence of worms, and their presence is not always accompanied by
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Cite this page
“Efimova Reaction.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/efimova-reaction/