Aortic dissection, patent ductus arteriosus, iris hypoplasia and brachytelephalangy in a male adolescent.

We describe a 14-year-old male with dissection of the descending aorta, bilateral iris hypoplasia, striae distensae and brachytelephalangy, the latter being most marked in the thumbs. Inguinal herniae and a patent ductus arteriosus were surgically repaired in infancy. The pattern of abnormalities may constitute a previously undescribed syndrome. The proband died suddenly at the age of 17 years.

Temporal changes in biotypes of Haemophilus influenzae isolated from patients with cystic fibrosis.

Isolates of Haemophilus influenzae obtained sequentially over a period of 2 years from 62 patients with cystic fibrosis were biotyped. Rapid changes were seen from month to month in biotypes isolated from the respiratory tract and only a few of the patients harboured the same biotype for several months. Up to four biotypes were present simultaneously, whereas even two different biotypes were found in only one of a series of 148 patients with respiratory infections but not cystic fibrosis. Colony morphology was no guide to biotype, since the same biotype may show different colony appearances on the same plate and different biotypes may show identical colony forms.

Distribution of biotypes of Haemophilus influenzae and H parainfluenzae in patients with cystic fibrosis.

One hundred and eighty eight isolates of Haemophilus influenzae and 187 isolates of H parainfluenzae from patients with cystic fibrosis, patients with respiratory infections but without cystic fibrosis, and patients with neither cystic fibrosis nor respiratory infections were biotyped. Biotype I of H influenzae were found significantly more often in patients with cystic fibrosis compared with those with normal respiratory tracts. On the other hand, biotype II strains of H influenzae were found less often in the cystic fibrosis group. Half of the biotype V strains produced beta-lactamase.

Specificity of antibodies for T sites and F sites of streptolysin O.

Antistreptolysin antibody (ASO) inhibits haemolysis of erythrocytes coated with streptolysin O (SLO), but antistreptolysin activity may also be due to the presence in sera of peptide fragments of altered beta lipoproteins. SLO-mediated haemolysis results from activity of a molecular site (the t site) distinct from that at which the SLO becomes attached to the cell (the f site), and both sites might be expected to function antigenically. Absorption studies with SLO-coated latex particles, and with SLO-coated erythrocytes in the cold, provide evidence for the existence of both classes of antibody. Results also suggest explanations for the frequent observation of false-negative and false-positive latex tests.

The prevalence of antibodies reactive with Campylobacter jejuni in the serum of homosexual men.

Samples of serum from 187 homosexual and 169 heterosexual men were examined by means of an indirect immunofluorescent antibody test for the presence of antibody reactive with Campylobacter jejuni. Antibody of the IgG class was detected in the serum of 19 (10.2 per cent) and 15 (8.9 per cent) homo- and heterosexual men respectively. The prevalence of serum antibody in men attending a sexually transmitted diseases clinic was higher than in a previously reported control group.

Immunological parameters in Alzheimer's pre-senile dementia.

Serum immunoglobulin levels and C3 and C4 complement concentrations were assayed and serum tested for the presence of autoantibodies in 17 patients with pre-senile Alzheimer's disease. The majority of patients showed a reduced level of one or more of immunoglobulins IgG, IgA or IgM. No significant abnormality was found to indicate an autoimmune disorder.

Comparison of agglutination, complement fixation and immunofluorescence tests in Campylobacter jejuni infections.

Good antibody responses usually follow infection with Campylobacter jejuni. A comparison of agglutination, complement fixation and immunofluorescence tests was done on 55 sera from 40 sporadic patients with diarrhoeal disease and positive cultures for C. jejuni. Results showed 82% positive with immunofluorescence, 62% by complement fixation but only 38% by agglutination, using two reference strains COP and MEL as antigens. Overall 90% of the 40 patients were positive by one or more serological tests. Paired sera from 15 patients showed a fourfold or greater rise in only five, confirming previous observations that antibody formation occurs early in the course of infection. Results also suggest that different test systems may be detecting antibodies of different specificities. Results confirm the value of serological tests, but further information on serotypes is required for selection of suitable reference strains.

Antinuclear antibodies and histocompatibility antigens in patients on long-term lithium therapy.

A survey of antinuclear factor, histocompatibility antigens, red blood cell groups and red blood cell isoenzyme variants is reported in 54 patients on long-term lithium therapy. Eleven patients with detectable antinuclear factor could not be distinguished from 43 patients without antinuclear factor using age, sex, diagnosis, previous medication, time on lithium or usual dose of lithium. The presence of antinuclear factor was not associated with any particular genetic marker.

Prostaglandin synthesis by murine mammary gland is modified by the state of the estrus cycle.

Mammary glands were excised from female C3H mice at various stages of their estrus cycle. Homogenates incubated at 37 degrees C +/- 10(5) M indomethacin synthesized prostaglandins (PG) E and f2 alpha at rates that varied as a function of the stage at estrus. The rate of PGF2 alpha synthesis was maximal at 1330 pg per mg protein per 2 hr in early diestrus and fell to undetectable levels in early estrus. PGE synthesis exhibited a similar pattern, being maximal at 83 pg per mg protein per 2 hr in early diestrus. These observations suggest that prostaglandins play a role in the cyclic changes observed within the mammary gland.