Immunologic Analysis by Gel Diffusion Technics of the Effects of Prolonged Cultivation on Trichomonas gallinae*

SYNOPSIS. Antisera were developed in rabbits against 3 axenic lines of Trichomonas gallinae: JB(VI), the 6th isolate of the very virulent Jones' Barn strain, which was kept frozen in liquid nitrogen and had its full pathogenicity for pigeons when it was employed for immunization; JB(VI)C, a substrain derived from JB(VI), but attenuated during continuous in vitro cultivation for 1 year; and JB(V)C, a substrain of the 5th isolate of the Jones' Barn strain attenuated during continuous in vitro cultivation for over 3 years. All antisera were reacted on gel diffusion slides with varying concentrations of homologous and heterologous antigens. Two groups of precipitin bands, arbitrarily labeled A and B, were seen on the slides. Analysis of these bands revealed the common genetic makeup of the 3 trichomonad lines with respect to the group A bands. However, the group B antigenic system was strong in the attenuated JB(VI)C and JB(V)C substrains, and very weak in the fully pathogenic JB(VI) strain. These differences are discussed in the light of their possible relationship to pathogenicity.     

The Axenic Culture of Strains of the Various Syngens of Paramecium aurelia*

SYNOPSIS Strains of the various syngens of Paramecium aurelia respond differently to the culture media developed for Strain 299 of syngen 8. Not only is there a variety of response between the syngens, but strains belonging to the same syngen respond differently to the 3 growth media.     

Less commonly recognized clinical features of amebiasis

Among the less commonly recognized clinical manifestations of intestinal and hepatic amebiasis are vague abdominal distress in the absence of diarrhea, symptoms like those of peptic ulcer, and symptoms of a kind that may be ascribed to psychoneurosis. Hepatic amebiasis may be confused with other diseases affecting areas above or below the right diaphragm, such as cholecystitis, viral hepatitis, pneumonia or pleurisy. Adequate therapy in every case must include a course of a drug effective against hepatic involvement (chloroquine or emetine) and a drug effective against intestinal involvement (Diodoquin, Milibis, or carbarsone). Even in the absence of positive results of stool examinations, a course of antiamebic therapy is always justified as a diagnostic and therapeutic measure.