[Biochemical characterization of Haemophilus strains with a standardized micromethod (author's transl)]

Using a standardized micromethod, the authors aimed at the study of biochemical characterization of 51 Haemophilus strains (influenzae and parainfluenzae). The statistical analysis of the results allowed them to definite a theoretical average outline corresponding to three groups of bacteria :-- group of Haemophilus influenzae, -- group of Haemophilus parainfluenzae, -- group of different Haemophilus. The authors propose some modifications in order to make this identification specifically applicable to diagnose species and biotypes of genus Haemophilus.

[Aminopeptidase activity in "Corynebacterium vaginale" (author's transl)]

Aminopeptidase activity can only be detected in significant amounts in Gram-negative bacteria with a test reaction using L-alanine-4-nitro-anilide as substrate. Corynebacterium vaginale show no aminopeptidase activity even after prolonged reaction times. This indicates surely that this microorganism is nt a Gram-negative bacteria.

[Role of macrophages in interferon production in mice (author's transl)]

By stimulating or depressing the macrophage system with Corynebacterium parvum or anti-macrophage serum, we were able to establish that macrophages play a role in Poly-I:C-induced interferon production. On the other hand macrophages do not seem to be the cells which produce endotoxin- or NDV-induced interferon, although a slight participation of these cells in the production of NDV-induced interferon cannot be excluded.

Clinical significance of circulating immune complexes detection in chronic glomerulonephritis

Sera from 168 patients with various types of chronic glomerulonephritis (GN) were assayed for immune complexes (IC) by two independent methods, a modification of the PEG precipitation test (PEG) and the inhibition of complement-dependent lymphocyte rosette formation (RI). Both assays had different reactivities, the RI being more sensitive than the PEG test. Higher percentages of positivity of these tests were observed in the GN groups than in normal controls. However serial measurements demonstrated that IC were present only intermittently in most instances. The presence of IC correlated with disease activity in patients with focal glomerulosclerosis membranous GN and membranoproliferative GN, while in lupus erythematosus it reflected the effects of different treatment regimens although it had no relationship with clinical symptoms. Nevertheless, our results suggest that these tests are of little help to the clinician to appreciate disease activity and monitor therapy in individual GN patients.

[Relationship between ultrastructure of various phages and protein-phage conjugates with their specific neutralization]

Back to our technique of phage sensitization by protein fixation with the aid of coupling reagents, and of their inactivation by the specific anti-protein antibodies, comparative studies were made on phages having a morphologically different tail. Here we report the results concerning the ultramicorscopic observation of four phages, the efficiency and the rate of their sensitization, and the possibility of their respective neutralization.