Hyperreactive malarious splenomegaly (tropical splenomegaly syndrome)

Hyperreactive malarious splenomegaly (HMS), formerly known as tropical splenomegaly syndrome (TSS), was recognized some 20 years ago as an entity distinct from the splenic enlargement resulting directly from malarial parasitaemia. Its basis appears to be a disturbance in the T-lymphocyte control of the humoral response to recurrent malaria, possibly linked to particular HLA Class II antigens. Gross overproduction of IgM antibodies leads to the formation of high molecular weight immune complexes, persistent gross splenomegaly recurrent episodes of profound anaemia and increased susceptibility to infections. Those with gross disease experience a high mortality, which constitutes a major public health problem in communities where the syndrome affects a majority of adults.     

Immunological Studies in Kaposi's Sarcoma in Uganda

An evaluation of humoral and cellular immune mechanisms was performed on patients with Kaposi''s sarcoma in Uganda. Antibody responses and immunoglobulin levels were normal in all patients studied. Nevertheless, a striking impairment in the delayed hypersensitivity response to dinitrochlorobenzene was noted in patients with the “malignant” type of tumour.     

Immunological studies in Bloom's syndrome. A follow-up report.

Longitudinal immunological studies were performed in five patients with Bloom's syndrome. Serum IgG concentration showed no age-related increase. IgA levels were below the 10th percentile in childhood, but rose to normal in all but one. IgM was decreased in four patients at diagnosis and remained so in three of them. Cellular immunity results were very variable, even within one patient. An immunologic attrition was not demonstrated.     

Immunological studies in pre-eclamptic toxaemia.

Although five patients with severe pre-eclamptic toxaemia (PET) had increased anticomplementary activity in their serum, there was no evidence of complement activation in the plasma of four of the five patients. These results are not implicated in the pathogenesis of PET. No significant correlation was found between anticomplementary activity and pregnancy-associated alpha2-glycoprotein.     

Immunological studies on vertebrate photoreceptors

Many monoclonal antibodies to the rhodopsin and other visual pigments have been reported by a number of research groups. The antibodies are available for cell classification, detecting some molecular difference(s) among various visual pigments, and also recently for protein purification and gene cloning. In this review article, we paid attention to precedingly reported 20 anti-photoreceptor antibodies in order to compare them with our own two anti-lamprey photoreceptor antibodies, H16 and B11. From the point of view of immunohistochemical reactivity, the H16 antibody was regarded as a marker for a universal component of vertebrate rhodopsins and a certain number of cone pigments; meanwhile the B11 antibody would recognize more specifically lower-vertebrate rhodopsins and, perhaps, blue-sensitive cone pigments in higher vertebrate retinas.     

Immunological studies of acetylcholine receptors

Immunochemical techniques for the study of acetylcholine receptors are described. Immunization of rabbits, rats, guinea pigs, and goats with acetylcholine receptor protein purified from Electrophorus electric organ tissue results in muscular weakness and death due to impaired neuromuscular transmission. Serum from immunized animals contains high concentrations of antibodies directed at receptors from the electric organ and low concentrations of antibodies directed at receptors from skeletal muscle. The detailed similarities between the disease of receptor-immunized animals, “experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis” (EAMG), and myasthenia gravis are compared. Reactions of antisera from animal with EAMG with receptor from Electrophorus and Torpedo are studied. Antireceptor antibodies in these antisera are directed predominantly at determinants other than the acetylcholine-binding site.