Hepatitis B virus: a possible cause of serositis in hemodialysis patients

An epidemiologic survey in a maintenance hemodialysis population of 300 patients was undertaken to relate the appearance of acute serositis (pericarditis, pleuritis or ascites) to HBsAg antigenemia. A significant number of incidents of serositis occurred in patients acutely or chronically infected with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) suggesting an etiologic role for the virus in the serositis of uremia. In 2 patients with both end-stage renal disease and chronic HBsAg antigenemia, immunofluorescent studies of serosal tissues showed fluorescent clusters interpreted to be HBs antigen-antibody complexes. It is concluded that an immunologic response to viremia may be one of the causes of serositis in uremia.

Responses of chronic lymphocytic leukemic lymphocytes to increasing concentrations of phytohemagglutinin during short-term culture

Lymphocytes obtained from CLL patients containing high and low peripheral lymphocyte cell counts were cultured in the absence and presence of increasing concentrations of phytohemagglutinin for periods of up to 2 h. Lymphocytes from patients with low cell counts (less than 50,000/mm3) were stimulated to incorporate 3H-uridine during the 1st h of culture by concentrations of PHA ranging from 1 to 32 microgram/ml. Under identical conditions, lymphocytes from patients with high cell count (greater than 50,000/mm3) were barely affected. During the 2nd h of culture the above concentrations stimulated to a lesser degree the former group of lymphocytes, whereas it inhibited incorporation by the latter group. The results obtained suggest a qualitative difference in the response of CLL lymphocytes to PHA in accordance with the progression of the disease.

The effect of steroids on the synthesis of RNA by isolated T and B lymphocytes of normal donors and patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

T- and B-lymphocyte populations were isolated from peripheral blood of 11 patients who had chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and four normal healthy donors. The isolated T and B cells were cultured in the absence and presence of cortisol, dexamethasone, beta-estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone, and the effects of these steroids on the synthesis of RNA was investigated. T and B cells of the CLL group were significantly more inhibited in the synthesis of RNA than the respective cells of the normal control group. The individual responses of T and B cells to each of the steroids differed in both the CLL and control groups, as well as between the respective subpopulations of each of the groups. Analysis of th LDH isoenzyme patterns of T and B cells of each group suggested major differences in the distribution of their LDH isoenzymes.

Ultrastructural "fingerprint" in cryoprecipitate and glomerular deposits: a case report of systemic lupus erythematosus

A 20 year old woman had lupus nephritis and cryoglobulinemia. The cryoglobulins isolated from the serum and a renal biopsy specimen were studied by means of immunofluorescence, immunochemistry, and electron microscopy. Ultrastructural "fingerprint" structures were observed both in the cryoprecipitate and in the glomerular deposits, as were IgG, IgM, and IgA. These observations furnish morphologic evidence for the glomerular deposition of cryoglobulins in lupus nephritis.

Immunofluorescence of renal lesions in paraffin-embedded and fresh-frozen sections

Immunofluorescent findings in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded sections of kidneys involved by various nephropathies compared favorably with those in fresh-frozen sections. In some cases, the findings in paraffin-embedded sections were complementary. Immunoreactivity with complement could not be demonstrated.

Syphilitic lymphadenitis: immunofluorescent identification of spirochetes from imprints

We are reporting two cases of early syphilis with inguinal buboes which were surgically excised. Th clinical impression was lymphoma in one case and inguinal hernia in the other. The correct and specific diagnosis was quickly established by the application of fluorescent antibody technique to imprints of the enlarged lymph node.

Immunological observations following vasectomy

Lymphocytotoxic antibodies (LCA) against panels of normal lymphocytes and leukemic B-cells were demonstrated in vasectomized men. Since vasectomy is known to induce antibody formation to spermatozoa, the demonstration of these lymphocytotoxic antibodies may be related to antigenic constituents of spermatozoa such as HLA or B-cell alloantigens. Long term follow-up is needed to clarify the clinical significance of these antibodies.

Immunoblastic sarcoma following Waldenström's macroglobulinemia

Immunoblastic sarcoma has been observed in association with, or subsequent to, chronic immune stimulation, connective tissue disorders, and immunoblastic lymphadenopathy. A case of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia progressinng after a few years into immunoblastic sarcoma is reported. Splenectomy led to disappearance of hemolytic anemia and of pulmonary infiltrates, as well as to marked reduction of macroglobulins. Although immunoblastic sarcoma usually terminates fatally within two or three months, complete remission was induced by combination chemotherapy. It is speculated that Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, immunoblastic lymphadenopathy, and immunoblastic sarcoma are related disorders reflecting a clonal nature of immunoblastic lymphoma cells and the plasmacytic cells.