Gastric carcinoma in young adults

Among 47 blood donors tested positive with HCV EIA 2.0 Abbott, 27 (57.4%) also reacted with four ?third-generation' EIAs. The presence of anti-HCV antibodies was confirmed with 3 different immunoblot assays in 16 of 27 sera (34.0%) while 10 samples (21.3%) had indeterminate profile with antibodies usually directed against structural core antigen. Anti-HCV core IgM response was found in 12 of 47 sera (25.5%) and HCV viremia detected by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedure was observed in 15 samples (31.9%). A comparative study of the different markers confirmed a good correlation between a strong antibody response in EIAs and immunoblot assays and the presence of HCV RNA in the serum; only 2 immunoblot indeterminate samples were PCR positive. An association was observed between IgM antibodies against "core' epitopes and HCV RNA carriage: all IgM-positive sera were found positive by PCR. However, the direct detection of viral genome remains the best method for identifying HCV carriers in the blood donor population.     

Gliadin-specific and cow''s milk protein-specific IgA in human milk

The presence of gliadin-specific IgA and IgG antibodies in colostrum and serum of 140 newly delivered mothers was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, cow's milk protein (CMP)-specific IgA was determined in the colostrum samples. From 14 of the mothers longitudinal milk samples were obtained after 1 and 2 months of lactation and from 12 mothers after 3 months. Gliadin-specific IgA was found in 97.1% and gliadin-specific IgG in 9.3% of the colostrum samples. Gliadin-specific IgA was detected in mature samples but at significantly lower levels after 1, 2, and 3 months of lactation (p less than 0.01) as compared with colostrum. Gliadin-specific IgA was found in 2.8% of the serum samples and gliadin-specific IgG in 40%; however, the levels of both isotypes were low. CMP-specific IgA was found in 78.1% of the colostrum samples. It is concluded that IgA antibodies to two common food proteins are frequently found in human milk and that food-specific IgA present in milk may play a role in adapting the infant's immune reactions to food antigens in the gut.     

Detection of serum antibodies against Chlamydia pneumoniae by ELISA

Chlamydia pneumoniae causes pneumonia and other respiratory infections in children, adolescents and adults. We tried to evaluate the diagnostic value of detection of serum antibodies by ELISA for C. pneumoniae infections in Japanese children. Serum IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies to C. pneumoniae were determined by the microimmunofluorescence (MIF) test. Serum IgG and IgA antibodies were also determined by ELISA test kits. Results obtained by ELISA were compared with those obtained by MIF test. IgG antibody to C. pneumoniae was detected in 135 (39.5%) by ELISA and in 125 (36.5%) by MIF out of 342 sera from Japanese infants and children without respiratory infections (aged from 2 months old to 15 years old). IgA antibody to C. pneumoniae was detected in 129 (37.7%) by ELISA and in 117 (34.2%) by MIF out of 342 sera tested. Of 342 specimens 113 were IgG-positive by ELISA and MIF (sensitivity: 90.4%, specificity: 89.9%, r = 0.853). Of 342 sera 28 had IgG antibody titers of 1:256 and none had titers 1:512 or higher by MIF. Of 28 infants and children a total of nine were less than 4 years of age. On the other hand, of 342 specimens 99 were IgA-positive by ELISA and MIF (sensitivity: 84.6%, specificity: 86.7%, r = 0.769). Of 342 sera 16 had IgA antibody titers of 1:256 or higher by MIF. Of 16 infants and children, ten were less than 4 years of age. ELISA had excellent sensitivity and specificity relative to MIF test for detection of IgC and IgA antibodies to C. pneumoniae. It was suggested that C. pneumoniae infection in Japanese infants and children under 4 years of age was not infrequent.     

Concentrations of trypsin inhibitor and immunoglobulins in colostrum of Jersey cows

Colostrum samples from 49 Jersey cows were analyzed for concentrations of trypsin inhibitor, IgG, IgM, IgA, TS, fat, specific gravity, and N fractions. Colostrum (100 ml) was sampled from each cow as soon as possible after parturition. Mean concentrations of IgG, IgM, and IgA were 84.6, 3.4, and 4.5 g/L, respectively. Mean concentration of trypsin inhibitor was 56 mg of trypsin inhibited/dl of colostrum. Concentration of trypsin inhibitor was unaffected by lactation number and averaged 60, 53, and 54 mg of trypsin inhibited/dl of colostrum for cows in first, second, and third or later lactations, respectively. Colostral trypsin inhibitor and IgG were correlated (.54), although correlations between trypsin inhibitor and IgM and IgA were not significant. Trypsin inhibitor in colostrum was also positively correlated with fat, total N, protein N, noncasein N, and TS in colostrum. Variation in concentration of trypsin inhibitor from first-milking colostrum was closely related to colostral IgG concentration and may serve to protect IgG and other proteins from proteolytic degradation in the intestine of the neonatal calf.     

Comparison of cardiac findings at necropsy in octogenarians, nonagenarians, and centenarians

The Toxoplasma gondii rhoptry protein Rop2 was expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein containing 44 kDa of the 55-kDa mature Rop2, supplied with six histidyl residues at the N-terminal end (Rop2196-561). Humoral response during Toxoplasma infection of humans was analyzed by immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgA, and IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with Rop2196-561 as the antigen substrate. The analyzed sera were divided according to T. gondii-specific serological tests (IgG, IgA, or IgM indirect immunofluorescence and IgA or IgM immunosorbent agglutination assay) as group A (IgG+ IgA- IgM-; n = 35), group B (IgG+ IgA+ IgM+; n = 21), group C (IgG+ IgA+ IgM-; n = 5), and group D (IgG+ IgA- IgM+; n = 16). Twenty-six T. gondii-seronegative sera from individuals with other infections were also included (group E). Anti-Rop2 IgG antibodies were detected in 82.8% of group A sera and in 97.6% of the sera with acute-phase marker immunoglobulins (groups B, C, and D). The percentage of IgA antibody reactivity against Rop2196-561 was 17.1% in group A, 50% in group D, and 80.8% in groups B and C. The percentage of IgM antibody reactivity was 0% in groups A and C and 62% in groups B and D. Sera from group E failed to show IgA, IgM, or IgG antibody reactivity. Since T. gondii Rop2 elicits a strong humoral response from an early stage of infection, it is suggested that recombinant Rop2196-561 would be suitable for use in diagnostic systems, in combination with other T. gondii antigens, to detect specific IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies.     

Prevalence of specific anti-Cryptosporidium IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies in cat sera using an indirect immunofluorescence antibody test

Sera from 258 healthy and sick domestic and feral cats were screened for specific anti-Cryptosporidium antibodies using an indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFA). Sera were positive for IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies in 192 (74%), 84 (32%) and 67 (26%) samples, respectively. Antibody was not detected at dilutions of 1:10 and 1:20 or greater in any of eight specific pathogen-free kittens. IgM and IgA antibody classes were more prevalent in sick than in healthy domestic cats. The presence of IgM and/or IgA antibodies indicated early infection. However, these antibody classes were present in sera from cats either positive or negative for Cryptosporidium infection by faecal examination. Pronounced polar fluorescence was observed in the sporozoites in positive samples under fluorescence microscopy. The higher prevalence of specific anti-Cryptosporidium antibodies and the absence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in faecal samples from some IFA-positive animals suggests that detection of these antibodies in sera from cats could be helpful for the diagnosis of feline cryptosporidiosis.     

Chlamydia and the Curtis-Fitz-Hugh syndrome

Ten women with acute right upper-quadrant abdominal pain but negative results for biliary investigations had a current or past history of pelvic inflammatory disease. A diagnosis of the Curtis-Fitz-Hugh syndrome was made and was confirmed in five patients by laparoscopy. Neisseria gonorrhoeae was not isolated from the cervical and urethral swabbings of seven patients tested. Chlamydia trachomatis was isolated from the endocervical canal in one of six patients examined. Of sera from nine patients tested by a micro-immunofluorescence test, nine and six samples respectively showed type-specific IgG and IgM antibodies against C trachomatis serotypes D-K. Type-specific IgG and IgA antibodies were also detected in the cervical and urethral discharge of two out of five patients and in the peritoneal aspirate of two. The presence of high titres of IgG or IgM in sera and IgG or IgA in the local discharges of our patients suggests that C trachomatis was probably the cause of the CFH syndrome.     

Autologous platelet collection and storage to support thrombocytopenia in patients undergoing high-dose chemotherapy and circulating progenitor cell transplantation for high-risk breast cancer

The differential diagnosis of recurrent hepatitis C following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) may be difficult. We evaluated the diagnostic significance of IgM anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) core antibodies in 27 patients undergoing OLT because of HCV-associated cirrhosis. Serial serum samples collected before and after OLT were tested for the presence of IgM anti-HCV core antibodies. Results were compared with the histological evidence of liver damage, the presence, level, and genotype of serum HCV RNA and the degree of immunosuppression. All patients underwent recurrent HCV infection. Recurrent hepatitis was diagnosed histologically in 21 patients an average of 48 weeks after OLT (range 2-209 weeks): 18 had persistence or (re-)appearance of the IgM anti-HCV core after OLT, one lost the IgM anti-HCV core after OLT, and two never secreted IgM anti-HCV core either before or after OLT. The remaining six patients did not develop recurrent hepatitis after a follow-up of 44-241 weeks from OLT; in these patients, IgM anti-HCV core either disappeared (1 case) or decreased (1 case) after OLT or were persistently negative throughout the study (4 cases). Thus, 18/21 patients with recurrent hepatitis, but only one of six without recurrent hepatitis, secreted IgM anti-HCV core after OLT (P < 0.05). The IgM anti-HCV core levels were not correlated with the level or genotype of serum HCV RNA or the degree of immunosuppression. In conclusion, secretion of IgM anti-HCV core antibodies after OLT seems associated with recurrence of HCV-associated liver disease and may have diagnostic significance.     

Clonality and specificity of cryoglobulins associated with HCV: pathophysiological implications

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection plays a central role in the pathogenesis of mixed cryoglobulinemia through molecular mechanisms which remain to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of antibody responses to HCV in the pathogenesis of cryoglobulinemia through characterization of the anti-HCV specificity and immunochemical characteristics of the immunoglobulins involved in cryoprecipitation. METHODS: Sera from 50 consecutive patients with chronic HCV infection (RNA positive) were screened for the presence of cryoglobulins. The two major components of cryoprecipitates, IgM rheumatoid factors and IgG, were separated by high performance liquid chromatography and analyzed for immunochemical composition by immunoblotting and antibody specificity by ELISA and immunoblotting using recombinant HCV proteins and synthetic peptides as antigens. RESULTS: Cryoprecipitates were observed in 27 patients and characterized by immunofixation: 13 (48%) were classified as type II and 14 (52%) as type III. Monoclonal immunoglobulins were detected by immunoblotting in 20 cryoprecipitates: IgM in 14 samples and IgG in 14, with a clear preponderance of IgG3 (12/14). Specificity studies on sera and purified IgM and IgG fractions from cryoprecipitates revealed enrichment in cryoglobulins, predominantly polyclonal IgG1, reactive with the HCV structural proteins, whereas specificities for nonstructural viral proteins were relatively less represented compared to whole serum. No restricted pattern of fine specificity was observed. IgG3 subclass was apparently not involved in HCV nucleoprotein binding. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings do not support a direct link between monoclonal cryoglobulins and immune response to HCV According to the proposed pathogenetic model, HCV infection can induce the formation of cryoprecipitable rheumatoid factors, sustain their production, and eventually lead to monoclonal B-cell expansion through several cooperative mechanisms.     

Human immune responses to influenza virus vaccines administered by systemic or mucosal routes

Healthy adult volunteers were immunized by parenteral or oral routes with trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (A/Chile/1/83 (H1N1), A/Mississippi/1/85 (H3N2), and B/Ann Arbor/1/86), or intranasally with live attenuated, cold-adapted influenza type A/Texas/1/85 (H1N1) reassortant virus. In all volunteers, cells spontaneously secreting IgA, IgG or IgM antibodies specific to influenza virus were detected in peripheral blood on days 6-13 after immunization, and specific IgA, IgG and IgM antibodies to influenza vaccine were measured in sera and external secretions (saliva and nasal lavage). Following systemic immunization, a raise in specific antibodies of all isotypes was observed in sera beginning on day 13. Although small variations in IgA and IgM antibodies in saliva and nasal lavages were detected, antigen-specific IgG significantly increased between days 13 and 27. Intranasal administration of attenuated virus induced IgA and IgG antibodies in serum as well as in secretions. Serum antibodies were not substantially influenced by oral immunization, only a small increase in all isotypes was observed in volunteers' sera 21 days after ingestion of vaccine. However, in secretions, antigen-specific IgA and IgG responses were detected one week after immunization and reached a peak response on day 20. These studies show that different routes of immunization can be effective for the induction of specific antibodies, and support the concept of the common mucosal immune system in humans by demonstrating that the oral or intranasal administration of antigen-induced specific antibodies of IgA isotype in external secretions, preceded by the transient appearance in peripheral blood of specific antibody-producing cells.     

Isotype-specific immune response to a single hepatitis C virus core epitope defined by a human monoclonal antibody: diagnostic value and correlation to PCR

In this study we tested the seroreactivity of 223 selected anti-HCV-reactive blood donors to the human B-cell epitope N-VYLLPR-C (C34-39) of the hepatitis C virus core antigen. The epitope was recently identified and characterized by the human monoclonal IgG antibody Ul/F10 and is located within the amino acid residues 34-39 of the aminoterminal core region. The blood donor sera were selected from anti-HCV ELISA (Ortho, 2nd generation)-reactive samples. Sixty-seven of these sera were further reactive in RIBA (Ortho, 2nd generation). According to their RIBA pattern, these samples were divided into four groups. Samples in the first group (n = 18) reacted to all four recombinant HCV antigens. The samples of the second (n = 9) and third group (n = 8) reacted to c22-3/c33c and c22-3/c100-3, respectively. Sera from group 4 (n = 32) showed a RIBA indeterminate pattern with reactivity only to c22-3. All 223 samples were analyzed for anti-C34-39 antibodies by ELISA, and the 67 RIBA-reactive samples were additionally tested for the presence of HCV RNA by RT/PCR. In groups 1 and 2, over 80% of the samples showed anti-C34-39 reactivity which was restricted to the IgG1 isotype. In contrast, in groups 3 and 4, antibodies to the epitope C34-39 were detected in less than 10% of the samples. Interestingly, the anti-C34-39 response correlates with the presence of HCV RNA; 95.5% of the samples had coincident results in all subgroups. None of the RIBA-negative sera showed a specific seroreaction to the C34-39 peptide.     

Hepatitis G virus in the general population and in patients on hemodialysis

To determine the routes of transmission of hepatitis G virus (HGV) and the relationship between HGV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, we tested for HGV RNA by polymerase chain reaction and antibody to HCV (anti-HCV) in 494 hemodialysis patients, 638 inhabitants of two HCV endemic areas, and in 400 blood donors in Japan. HGV RNA was detected in 6.9% of hemodialysis patients, in 1.4% of inhabitants, and in 0.8% of donors, and anti-HCV was detected in 39.3%, 12.4%, and 1.8%, respectively. Of HGV RNA-positive hemodialysis patients, and HGV RNA-positive inhabitants, 64.7% and 11.1%, respectively, had been given blood transfusions. The prevalences of HGV RNA and anti-HCV significantly increased with the duration of hemodialysis. Of all HGV RNA positives, 74.4% were coinfected with HCV and subjects with HGV RNA alone had normal liver function. In conclusion, HGV is transmitted by blood transfusion and within the hemodialysis unit itself. HGV does not seem to injure hepatocytes.     

HCV replication in mononuclear cells stimulates anti-HCV-secreting B cells and reflects nonresponsiveness to interferon-alpha

Recently, it was demonstrated in chronic hepatitis C that the release of IgG and IgM anti-HCV antibodies by mononuclear cells (PBMCs) correlated with inflammatory activity, HCV persistence in serum, and negative outcome from antiviral therapy. Thus, persistent antigenic stimulation of the antibody-secreting B cells has been suggested. In this study, PBMCs were derived from 13 patients with chronic hepatitis C. Nucleic acids were extracted by the guanidine-thiocyanate-method, and plus- and minus-stranded HCV-RNAs were determined using primers from the 5'-untranslated region of HCV. Simultaneously, unstimulated PBMCs were cultured for 8 days and anti-HCV antibodies were detected in the supernatants by EIA and RIBA. Seven patients (53.8%) had both plus- and minus-stranded HCV-RNA in PBMCs, while anti-HCV antibodies were secreted in vitro. One of 2 patients with plus- but not minus-stranded HCV-RNA in PBMCs was anti-HCV positive in vitro, whereas 4 patients without HCV-infected PBMCs were anti-HCV negative in vitro. Eight patients received antiviral therapy with interferon-alpha 2b. Four nonresponders and 1 partial responder had plus- and minus-stranded HCV-RNA in PBMCs and anti-HCV secretion in vitro. On the other hand, 2 complete responders and another partial responder showed neither HCV infection of PBMCs nor anti-HCV secretion in vitro.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Detection of isotype-specific autoantibodies to calpastatin in sera from patients with rheumatic diseases using heat-treated HeLa cell extract as an antigen source for immunoblotting

To detect immunoglobulin isotype-specific autoantibodies to native human calpastatin in patients with rheumatic diseases, we performed immunoblot analysis using the heated HeLa cell extracts to enrich heat-resistant calpastatin. The calpastatin molecule that was apparently migrated to 110 kD by SDS-PAGE was confirmed to react with monoclonal anti-human calpastatin antibody in immunoblotting. IgG antibodies to calpastatin were detected in 22 of 48 sera (46%) from patients with RA, whereas only 20% (5/25), 11% (2/19) and 13% (2/15) of sera from SLE, SSc and PM/DM had IgG anti-calpastatin antibodies, respectively. IgM antibodies were also found in 40% (19/48) of RA and 12% (3/25) of SLE patients but not detected in sera from patients with other rheumatic diseases. IgA antibodies were found in only one RA and one SLE serum. In RA, 7 of 48 sera (15%) had IgM antibodies alone, but all SLE sera with IgM antibodies had IgG antibodies. Thus, anti-calpastatin autoantibodies were detected by using the native human calpastatin. Although these autoantibodies were found in patients with various rheumatic diseases, they were present in RA patients at the highest frequency. In particular, the presence of IgM antibodies appeared to be more specific in RA patients.     

Kinetics study and characterisation of target excreted/secreted antigens of immunoglobulin G, M, A and E antibodies from mice infected with different strains of Toxoplasma gondii

A kinetics study and characterisation of target excreted/secreted antigens of immunoglobulin (Ig) G, M, A and E antibodies were realised by Western blotting with immune sera of mice inoculated with three strains of Toxoplasma gondii: RH, C56 and S3. IgG antibodies of the immune sera recognised the major proteins of the three excreted/secreted antigen preparations with molecular masses of 30, 45, 63 and 77 kDa. IgM antibodies recognised proteins revealed by IgG antibodies but with variable intensities; some proteins were revealed during a short period. IgA antibodies did not recognise the 35-kDa antigen or the antigens inferior to 28 kDa. The RH excreted/secreted antigens were revealed with the highest intensity. The IgE antibodies were briefly detected in trace amounts during period from the 20th to the 35th day. The RH strain with its excreted/secreted antigens had the best antigenicity and is a good model for immunoprotection studies.     

Collecting duct carcinomas of the kidney: a comparative loss of heterozygosity study with clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Lyophilizing was compared to freezing as a method of colostrum storage. Eight lots of colostrum from the first milking were divided into two equal parts; one was frozen, and the other was lyophilized. Twenty-two newborn calves were divided into two groups and fed either 2 L of frozen and thawed colostrum or 2 L of reconstituted lyophilized colostrum. The calves were bled at 12, 18, 24, and 72 h after feeding, and levels of the immunoglobulins IgG1, IgG2, IgM, and IgA were determined with a radial immunodiffusion assay, in colostrum and sera. The mean concentration of individual immunoglobulin isotypes in the sera of calves fed either frozen or lyophilized colostrum did not differ significantly. Calves fed from the same lots of colostrum had similar immunoglobulin concentrations in their sera, irrespective of the method of storage. All immunoglobulin isotypes were absorbed with equal efficiency from frozen and lyophilized colostrum as determined by calculation of the absorption coefficient.     

A PET study on cortical and subcortical control of pelvic floor musculature in women

The possibility of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in HBsAg-negative patients has been shown. However, an "inapparent" coinfection by HBV in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive patients generally is not taken into account in clinical practice. Mechanisms responsible for resistance to interferon (IFN) have not been completely clarified. The aim of this study was to investigate whether an "inapparent" coinfection by HBV in anti-HCV-positive chronic liver disease patients may influence IFN response. Fourteen anti-HCV positive, HBsAg-negative but serum HBV DNA-positive patients by PCR and 111 anti-HCV-positive, HBsAg-negative and HBV DNA (PCR)-negative patients with chronic hepatitis were treated with 3 MU of recombinant alpha-2a IFN 3 times weekly for 12 months. Serum HBV DNA and HCV RNA were determined before treatment, after 6-12 months and in coincidence with ALT flare-up by PCR. HBV PCR was performed using primers specific for the S region of the HBV genome and HCV PCR with primers localised in the 5'NC region of HCV genome. IgM anti-HBc was tested using IMx Core-M Abbott assay. By the end of treatment, ALT values had become normal in 4/14 HBV DNA-positive patients (28%), but all "responders" (4/4) relapsed between 2 and 5 months after therapy. All but one patient were HCV RNA-positive before treatment, 6 were also both HBV DNA and HCV RNA-positive during ALT flare-ups. In 5 patients, only HBV DNA and in 3 patients, only HCV RNA was detected when transaminase values increased. All patients remained HBsAg-negative and anti-HCV-positive. IgM anti-HBc was detected both before treatment and during ALT elevation in 3 patients and only during ALT relapse in 3 others. Of the 111 anti-HCV positive, HBsAg-negative and HBV DNA (PCR)-negative patients with chronic hepatitis, a biochemical response to IFN treatment was observed in 54% of the cases. Relapse of ALT values was observed in 47% of the cases during a follow-up of 1 year after treatment. "Inapparent" HBV/HCV coinfection may be implicated in cases of resistance to IFN treatment. In addition, HBV replication may persist in patients in whom HCV replication was inhibited by IFN treatment. The pathogenic role of HBV in liver disease was confirmed by detection of IgM anti-HBc in some cases; the appearance of these antibodies only after IFN treatment suggests that IFN may exert a selective role in favour of HBV. Further studies will show the effect of different treatment schedules. HBV DNA and/or IgM anti-HBc detection with very sensitive methods may be important both as a prognostic factor and as a tool for better understanding interviral relationships and mechanisms involved in multiple hepatitis virus infections.     

Transmission of hepatitis C virus by transfusion in Orebro County, Sweden, 1990-1992

A retrospective study of hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission by transfusion was conducted in Orebro county. Out of the 7,900 active, registered blood donors, 21 repeatedly anti-HCV reactive (RIVA 2 positive or indeterminate) donors were diagnosed. Their 84 recipients from January 1990 through June 1992 were identified and 41 (49%) were alive in December 1992. A total of 13 anti-HCV reactive (RIBA 2 positive or indeterminate) were diagnosed in 39 investigated recipients. Of these 11 were previously undiagnosed, and seven were HCV RNA-positive. In the donor population 1.03% were anti-HCV-positive by ELISA, but only 0.09% were RIBA and HCV RNA-positive. In 1990, 0.06% of the blood components came from the HCV RNA-positive donors, and none during the first 6 months of 1992. In order to identify transfusion-transmitted HCV infections that took place before the introduction of tests for anti-HCV antibodies, patients with a history of transfusion and symptoms and signs of liver dysfunction or damage should be thoroughly tested.     

Hepatitis GB virus C genome in the serum of aplastic anaemia patients receiving frequent blood transfusions

GB virus C (GBV-C) RNA was detected in five of 18 patients with aplastic anaemia who had received blood transfusions, whereas it was not detected in eight patients who had not received any transfusions. Antibody against hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) was detected in nine patients in the transfusion group, compared with one of eight who had not received any transfusions. Therefore, the route of transmission of both GBV-C and HCV in these patients appeared to have been multiple blood transfusion. Since all of the GBV-C RNA-positive patients harboured anti-HCV, GBV-C seems to frequently superinfect with HCV. Neither GBV-C nor HCV is likely to have been a causative agent of the anaemia in the cases examined.     

Immunologic aspects of term pregnancy toxemia. A study of immunoglobins and complement

IgA, IgG, and IgM were measured by the single radial immunodiffusion method in umbilical cord and maternal sera in toxemia patients and in normal term pregnant cases. Complement (C' 3) levels were determined only in maternal sera. Quantitation of IgA, IgG, and IgM was performed in concentrated serial urine samples from three eclamptic and three normal control patients. Results show that there are lower IgG and IgM levels in the sera of mothers with toxemia of pregnancy; however, paradoxically higher IgM levels were detected in cord sera from their newborn infants without evidence of placental leakage or increased neonatal infection. The finding of the low IgG and IgM levels appears to be due in part to immunoglobin loss into the urine. The unchanged complement levels in toxemia, in this study, are not suggestive of an active immunologic process, but the high IgM in the newborn infants of toxemic mothers is unexplained and may represent active immunologic disease. Clearly, investigations of tissue binding and the formation of immunoglobin complexes should be carried out to better explain these abnormal findings.