ABSTRACT
The serum protein fractions from Philippine Hemorrhagic Fever cases were studied by means of paper electrophoresis as a preliminary step in the clarification of tbe biochemical nature of this disease. Variations in the electrophoretic pattern might indicate the presence of an aberrant chemical component or simply a quantitative increase or decrease in a well characterize constituent. Also, when abnormal patterns exist, these if consistent, may serve as a diagnostic tool or great clinical value. The limited clinical material available for study precludes the present work from becoming a definitive study. Analysis of the serum protein fractions of the Philippine Hemorrhagic Fever cases studied when compared to those of the control group exhibited certain characteristics of interest. Among these was the observation that the averages for each separated serum protein fraction of the Philippine Hemorrhagic Fever cases when compared to those of the control group were found to be significantly different with the exception of the alpha, globulin fraction. A study of the percentage of serum protein fractioin values for Philippine Hemorrhagic Fever cases that fall outside the standard deviation from the mean of the control group values showed 65 percent of the albumin fraction to be below this mean value, while none were above this values. Ten percent of the alpha cases were below while 30 percent were above the mean value. No alpha fractions were below but 55 percent were found to be above the control group mean value. Beta globulin was below the control mean value in 15 percent of the cases and above in 40 percent. Lastly the gamma globulin fraction was above the control group mean value in 60 percent, and below in only 5 percent of cases. No reversal of the albumin-globulin ratio was observed at any time. Total protein values were found to be within the normal range of the determination employed. A group of children studied separately showed no difference from the Philippine Hemorrhagic Fever case group as a whole. Examination of clinical records revealed a below average platelet count and positive tourniquet test producing petechial hemorrhages to be a consistent characteristic among Philippine Hemorrhagic Fever cases.(Summary)