[HLA-A, B, C, and DR typing in rheumatoid polyarthritis]. / Les typages HLA-A, B, C, DR dans la polyarthrite rhumatoïde.

HLA-A, B, C typing were performed in 72 caucasians with rheumatoid arthritis. HLA-DR typing were accomplished in 40 patients among these 72 subjects. DR4 was clearly increased with a frequency of 55 p. 100 versus 18 p. 100 in controls. We did not find an association between DR4 and the presence of rheumatoid factor. Clinical and biological signs are similar in rheumatoid arthritis with and without DR4. Two other HLA antigens, B40 and Cw3, were increased and their frequency was twice as high in patients as compared with controls. A synthesis of six studies published in the world confirms the elevation of B40 in this disease and later on suggests the elevation of Cw3 which is often linked with B40. The association of rheumatoid arthritis with B40 and Cw3 can be explained by a linkage disequilibrium between DR4 and B40 on the one hand, between DR4 and Cw3 on the other hand.

[The importance of HLA typing in cases of disputed paternity]. / Intérêt des groupages HLA dans les problèmes de paternite discutée.

In dispute paternity, the biologists must reply to two questions: 1. Is the paternity excluded or possible? 2. If it is possible, what is its probability? Valid answers can be given, using several genetic markers, among which HLA genes are specially interesting. Looking at HLA-A, B, C, DR typing of child, mother and presumed father, we propose a method which allows a direct calculation of paternity probability. Crossing over between HLA genes in presumed father and in mother are also considered in this method. In our experience, adding the date provided by the HLA genes and other genetic markers, we obtained, either formal exclusions, or possible paternities with a probability almost always higher than 90%.

[Phenotyping Kell and Duffy antigens by a technic of coagglutination on the Groupamatic G 360]. / Phénotypage Kell et Duffy par une technique de coagglutination sur Groupmatic G 360.

By adapting the technique of coagglutination to the Groupamatic, we have developed an efficient rapid method of phenotyping donors for the Kell and Fya antigens. 340 specimens can be tested per hour; 800 tests can be performed with only 15 ml of antisera. Over 10,000 donor specimens were tested for Kell and 2,470 were simultaneously phenotyped for Fya. No false negatives were observed. The rate, of false positive results, due to autoagglutinins coating the donors' red cells, was the same as that seen with the continuous flow method. We conclude that this technique is suitable for routine use in screening donors for Kell and Fya antigens.

[Detection and identification of irregular anti-erythrocyte antibodies with the Groupamatic G 360. Adaptation to the routine]. / Dépistage et identification des anticorps irréguliers antiérythrocytaires sur Groupamatic G 360. Adaptation à la routine.

The screening of irregular red-cell antibodies on 20.200 recipient samples was carried out simultaneously on continuous flux AUTO-ANALYZER (LIP-bromeline) and GROUPAMATIC (TPC-bromeline). From results it appears: --an equivalent sensibility of both technologies to detect Rh, Kell, Duffy and Kidd antibodies; --a higher sensibility of Groupamatic to detect particularly Lewis and P1 antibodies; --a clear superiority of TPC compared to bromeline technique which is commonly used with Groupamatic. Small modifications of the standard TPC system allow to associate, in routine work, detection of irregular red-cell antibodies with other analyses, such as ABO Rh grouping and phenotyping. From this last point of view, a restricted test of coagglutination phenotyping has revealed to be very promising.