Relationship between pest grasshopper densities and climate variables in the southern Pampas of Argentina

Grasshoppers are one of the most predominant insects in the grasslands of the southern Pampas. In this region, Dichroplus elongatus, Dichroplus maculipennis, Dichroplus pratensis and Borellia bruneri are the most abundant species and have the greatest economic importance. This study aimed to assess the relationship between temporal changes in the density of these species and climate variables associated with temperature and rainfall over an 11-year study period., We monitored 22 sites in different areas of Laprida county from 2005 to 2016. A total of 25 grasshopper species were collected. The most abundant species were D. maculipennis and B. bruneri which reached the highest densities from 2008-2009 to 2010-2011. The rainfall accumulated from September (RAS) to the sampling date and the number of rainy days (RD) largely explained the density variation of B. bruneri. Besides RD and RAS, winter rainfall, rainfall accumulated from October to the sampling date, and thermal amplitude of October (TAO) influenced the density of D. maculipennis. Our results indicated that seasons with less rainfall and fewer RD favored these two species' abundance. We identified that the RD and TAO contributed significantly to variations in the density of D. elongatus. In contrast to the other two species, we recorded D. elongatus in seasons with high rainfall and high RD. A better understanding of the climate influence on the life cycle of these economically important insects may identify key factors in their population dynamics which in turn may improve management options.

Detection of first gammaherpesvirus sequences in Central African bats

Herpesviruses have been identified in many species; however, relatively few bat herpesvirus are known, considering the enormous diversity of bats. We used consensus PCR to test bats from the Republic of the Congo and found DNA of two different novel bat herpesviruses. One was detected in a Pipistrellus nanulus, the other in a Triaenops persicus bat and both resemble gammaherpesviruses. On the amino acid level, the amplified sequences differ by 55% from each other, and by 27% and 25% from the next closest known viruses. The findings point towards the diversity of herpesviruses in Central African bats.

Analysis of adenovirus DNA detected in rodent species from the Democratic Republic of the Congo indicates potentially novel adenovirus types

Different species of adenoviruses (AdVs) infect humans and animals and are known for their role as pathogens, especially in humans, with animals, primarily rodents, often serving as model systems. However, although we know over 100 types of human AdVs, we know comparatively little about the diversity of animal AdVs. Due to the fact that rodents are the most diverse family of mammals and a standard model system for human disease, we set out to sample African rodents native to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and test them for AdV DNA using a semi-nested consensus PCR. A total of 775 animals were tested, and viral DNA was detected in four of them. The AdV DNA found belongs to three different AdVs, all being closely related to murine adenovirus 2 (MAdV-2). Considering the genetic differences of the amplicon were 9%, 11% and 19% from MAdV-2 and at least 10% from each other, they seem to belong to up to three different novel types within the Murine mastadenovirus B species. This evidence of genetic diversity highlights the opportunities to isolate and study additional AdVs that infect rodents as models for AdV biology and pathology.

Canine papillomavirus types 1 and 2 in classical papillomas: High abundance, different morphological associations and frequent co-infections

Canine papillomatosis is mainly attributed to papillomavirus infections. Papillomavirus DNA is also frequently identified in healthy skin, and evidence of high papillomavirus diversity complicates this simplistic view of causality. The aim of this study was to determine how frequently canine papillomas contain papillomavirus DNA and express viral protein, and how these factors correlate to the histology and anatomic location. Fifty-three archived, formalin-fixed samples of canine papillomas and eight samples of other proliferative skin lesions from dogs were included. Samples were re-evaluated histologically, tested for papillomavirus L1-antigen using immunohistochemistry, and for papillomavirus DNA with PCR assays and molecular sequencing. Most papillomas from haired skin contained papillomavirus DNA (96%) and antigen (92%). Of oral papillomas, 88% were positive for both papillomavirus DNA and antigen. Approximately 50% of non-papilloma proliferations and papillomas from eyelid/conjunctiva specimens contained viral DNA, but antigen was present in only 12% of eyelid/conjunctiva papillomas and in none of the non-papilloma proliferations. The presence of viral antigen was highly correlated with histological indicators of viral infection, including intranuclear inclusions, koilocytes, cytoplasmatic vacuolation and dysplasia. The viruses found were mainly CPV1 and CPV2. CPV1 dominated in oral infections, while CPV2 dominated in cutaneous endophytic papillomas. Co-infections with CPV1 and CPV2 accounted for about 20% of all detected infections. These results support a role for papillomaviruses in canine cutaneous and oral, exophytic and endophytic papillomas and support previously raised doubts about their role in squamous papillomas from eyelid/conjunctiva specimens.

Pododermatitis in Captive and Free-Ranging Greater Flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus)

Pododermatitis is frequent in captive flamingos worldwide, but little is known about the associated histopathologic lesions. Involvement of a papillomavirus or herpesvirus has been suspected. Histopathologic evaluation and viral assessment of biopsies from 19 live and 10 dead captive greater flamingos were performed. Selected samples were further examined by transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Feet from 10 dead free-ranging greater flamingos were also evaluated. The histologic appearance of lesions of flamingos of increasing age was interpreted as the progression of pododermatitis. Mild histologic lesions were seen in a 3-week-old flamingo chick with no macroscopic lesions, and these were characterized by Micrococcus-like bacteria in the stratum corneum associated with exocytosis of heterophils. The inflammation associated with these bacteria may lead to further histologic changes: irregular columnar proliferations, papillary squirting, and dyskeratosis. In more chronic lesions, hydropic degeneration of keratinocytes, epidermal hyperplasia, and dyskeratosis were seen at the epidermis, as well as proliferation of new blood vessels and increased intercellular matrix in the dermis. Papillomavirus DNA was not identified in any of the samples, while herpesvirus DNA was seen only in a few cases; therefore, these viruses were not thought to be the cause of the lesions. Poor skin health through suboptimal husbandry may weaken the epidermal barrier and predispose the skin to invasion of Micrococcus-like bacteria. Histologic lesions were identified in very young flamingos with no macroscopic lesions; this is likely to be an early stage lesion that may progress to macroscopic lesions.

EcPV2 DNA in equine papillomas and in situ and invasive squamous cell carcinomas supports papillomavirus etiology

Equine penile papillomas, in situ carcinomas, and invasive carcinomas are hypothesized to belong to a continuum of papillomavirus-induced diseases. The former ones clinically present as small grey papules, while the latter 2 lesions are more hyperplasic or alternatively ulcerated. To test the hypothesis that these lesions are papillomavirus-induced, samples of 24 horses with characteristic clinical and histologic findings of penile papillomas or in situ or invasive squamous cell carcinomas were collected. As controls, 11 horses with various lesions--namely, Balanoposthitis (6 cases), melanoma (3 cases), follicular cyst (1 case), and amyloidosis (1 case)--were included. DNA was extracted and polymerase chain reaction applied to amplify papillomavirus DNA. The respective primers were designed to amplify DNA of the recently discovered equine papillomavirus EcPV2. All tested papilloma and squamous cell carcinoma samples were found to contain DNA of either of 2 previously published EcPV2 variants. Among the other samples 6 of 11 were found to contain EcPV2 DNA. To further support the findings and to determine where the papillomavirus DNA was located within the lesions, an in situ hybridization for the detection of EcPV2 DNA was established. The samples tested by this technique were found to clearly contain papillomavirus nucleic acid concentrated in the nucleus of the koilocytes. The findings of this study support previous data and the hypothesis that papillomaviruses induce the described penile lesions in horses.

Screening of Argentine native fungal strains for biocontrol of the grasshopper Tropidacris collaris: relationship between fungal pathogenicity and chitinolytic enzyme activity

Tropidacris collaris (Orthoptera: Romaleidae) is a large and voracious grasshopper, which, in recent years, has become a recurrent pest in increasingly extensive areas of Argentina's northern provinces. In the present work chitinase activity was measured in 59 entomopathogenic fungal isolates native to Argentina, and the relationship between enzymatic activity and fungal virulence was assessed. Isolate LPSC 1067 caused the highest mortality on T. collaris nymphs (97.7 ± 1.22%). Nine isolates caused no mortality, while the remaining 49 caused mortalities ranging from 6.6 ± 0.3% (LPSC 770) to 91.06 ± 1.51% (LPSC 906). Several isolates revealed chitinolytic capabilities on test plates, although the activities differed with respect to the ratio of the chitin-decay-halo and fungal-colony diameters. A principal component analysis indicated that isolate LPSC 1067, obtained from a long-horned grasshopper (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae), would be a potential candidate for T. collaris biocontrol because the strain exhibited the highest mortality, a shorter median lethal time, and a high enzymatic activity and growth rate.

Postembryonic development and food consumption of Dichroplus elongatus Giglio-Tos and Dichroplus maculipennis (Blanchard) (Orhtoptera: Acrididae: Melanoplinae) under laboratory conditions

Dichroplus maculipennis (Blanchard) and D. elongatus Giglio-Tos are two of the most important melanoplines in Argentina, both ecologically and economically. The postembryonic development and forage loss (consumption of Bromus brevis Ness + fallen material) caused by older nymphs (instars IV, V, VI) and adults of both species were studied under controlled conditions (30ºC, 14L:10D, 40% RH). Five nymphal instars were recorded in D. elongatus, and six in D. maculipennis. Total nymphal development was similar in both species (D. elongatus: 32 ± 0.70 days; D. maculipennis: 34.5 ± 0.37 days). Daily consumption increased from nymphal instars to pre-reproductive adult stage. In both species, pre-reproductive females had higher consumption rates than other stages considered (D. elongatus: 30.6 ± 0.56 mg dry weight/day; D. maculipennis: 48.7 ± 0.74 mg dry weight/day). In the reproductive stage, consumption decreased significantly in both sexes. When feeding, D. maculipennis let some plant material to drop, increasing total loss. The percentage of fallen material was greater in reproductive adults, representing 3.9% and 2.9% of the total daily loss for males and females, respectively. Females and males of D. maculipennis were heavier than those of D. elongatus (P < 0.05), and daily consumption was significantly higher (P < 0.05). Regardless sex and reproductive status, adults of D. maculipennis consumed 29.1 ± 0.64 mg dry weight/day on average, while one of D. elongatus 20.0 ± 0.3 mg dry weight/ day.

First record of Fusarium verticillioides as an entomopathogenic fungus of grasshoppers

Fusarium verticillioides (Saccardo) Nirenberg (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) is the most common fungus reported on infected corn kernels and vegetative tissues, but has not yet been documented as being entomopathogenic for grasshoppers. Grasshoppers and locusts represent a large group of insects that cause economic damage to forage and crops. Tropidacris collaris (Stoll) (Orthoptera: Acridoidea: Romaleidae) is a large and voracious grasshopper that in recent years has become an increasingly recurrent and widespread pest in progressively more greatly extended areas of some of in Argentina's northern provinces, with chemical insecticides being currently the only means of control. During February and March of 2008-09, nymphs and adults of T. collaris were collected with sweep nets in dense woodland vegetation at a site near Tres Estacas in western Chaco Province, Argentina, and kept in screened cages. F. verticillioides was isolated from insects that died within 10 days and was cultured in PGA medium. Pathogenicity tests were conducted and positive results recorded. Using traditional and molecular-biological methods, an isolate of F. verticillioides was obtained from T. collaris, and its pathogenecity in the laboratory was shown against another harmful grasshopper, Ronderosia bergi (Stål) (Acridoidea: Acrididae: Melanoplinae). The mortality caused by F. verticillioides on R. bergi reached 58 ± 6.53% by 10 days after inoculation. This is the first record of natural infection caused by F. verticillioides in grasshoppers.

[Ultrasonographic findings and treatment in a cow with a haemangiosarcoma of the urinary bladder]

A 4.5-year-old Swiss Braunvieh cow was presented to the Department of Farm Animals, University of Zurich, because of severe haematuria. All other clinical findings were within normal ranges. Transrectal ultrasonography revealed a 1 cm x 1 cm echogenic, irregularly-shaped, raised mass in the wall of the urinary bladder. Endoscopy identified the mass as a proliferation, approximately 0.5 cm in diameter, which was bleeding continuously. Thermocautery of the bleeding site was carried out twice five days apart via endoscopy. Clinical signs resolved for the remainder of the cow's life; she was slaughtered 15 months later because of infertility. Histological examination of the mass revealed a haemangiosarcoma.

Detection of antibodies against epidermodysplasia verruciformis-associated canine papillomavirus 3 in sera of dogs from Europe and Africa by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

The role of papillomaviruses (PVs) in the development of canine cancers is controversial. However, recently a novel canine PV (CPV3) was detected in a dog affected with a condition reminiscent of epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV). The aim of the present study was to investigate the seroprevalence of CPV3 by using generic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for the detection of antibodies against either canine oral PV (COPV) or CPV3. Therefore, the capsid proteins of both PV types were expressed as glutathione S-transferase fusion protein antigens and adsorbed to glutathione-casein-coated ELISA plates. After showing that PV type-specific antibodies could be detected in the sera from dogs with confirmed COPV or CPV3 infection, CPV3- and COPV-seropositive samples were detected in two sets of canine sera collected in Switzerland and South Africa, respectively. We found specific antibodies against COPV and CPV3 among the tested sera and also a large number that were positive for both antigens. The seroprevalences of PV antibodies of 21.9% (COPV) and 26.9% (CPV3) among the tested dogs from South Africa were higher than those among the dogs from Switzerland at 10.5% (COPV) and 1.3% (CPV3). Our data suggest a need for further CPV-related seroepidemiological surveys in different countries, especially in the context of clinical manifestations and possible breed predispositions. For this purpose, the newly developed ELISAs can be a useful tool.

Specific IgE antibodies in the diagnosis of atopic disease. Clinical evaluation of a new in vitro test system, UniCAP, in six European allergy clinics

A new immunoassay system utilizing new automatic instrumentation, new software for evaluation of data, and reagents updated for increased speed and accuracy was evaluated. Six clinical studies included 894 consecutive patients. Major symptoms were rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis, and urticaria. The prevalence of inhalant allergy was 54-69%. Phadiatop, detecting atopic sensitization to common inhalant allergens, agreed with clinical diagnosis in 764/836 cases (91.4%). The clinical sensitivity and specificity were 93% and 89%, respectively. The clinical sensitivity and specificity of UniCAP specific IgE derived from 5170 comparisons with clinical diagnosis were 89% and 91%, respectively. Specific IgE measurements in UniCAP and in the Pharmacia CAP System agreed in 266/274 cases (97%). A comparison of the sensitivity and specificity of Pharmacia CAP System RAST in 1987 and with UniCAP specific IgE in 1995 showed equivalent performance without change of efficacy or degradation of IgE antibodies after 8 years. The systems were equivalent also in terms of measured values (r=0.96, slope=1.12), confirming the standardization of allergens and of assay calibration. UniCAP is an efficient laboratory system for routine diagnostic testing of allergy and a valuable tool for basic studies on allergens and antibodies.

Wide hybridization between Brazilian soybean cultivars and wild perennial relatives

Employing a different culture strategy, we obtained a greatly improved frequency of embryo rescue in intersubgeneric soybean hybrids. Successful crosses were obtained in 31 different genotype combinations between nine Brazilian soybean lines as the female parents and 12 accessions from Glycine canescens, G. microphylla, G. tabacina and G. tomentella. The hybrid pod retention rate dropped to about 10% during the first 8 days after pollination and stayed largely unchanged up to the 20th day. Immature harvested seeds fell into three size groups: Group 1, smaller than 1.3 mm (mostly empty seed coats); Group 2, 1.9-5.0 mm; Group 3, larger than 5 mm (from selfing). A total of 90 putative hybrid embryos were rescued using a highly enriched B5 medium to nourish the newly dissected embryos. The growing embryos were then placed in a high osmotic, modified B5 medium to induce maturation and dormancy. Schenk and Hildebrandt medium was used to germinate the dormant, partially dehydrated, physiologically mature embryos. Approximately 37% of the rescued embryos developed into plantlets in vitro, and approximately 8% grew into mature plants in the greenhouse. Morphological, cytological and isoenzyme patterns confirmed the hybrid status of all seven mature plants, all of which were generated using G. tomentella G 9943 as the paternal parent. It was observed that all soybean lines crossed with G 9943 were capable of producing mature hybrid plants. There was no correlation between the initial size of Group 2 seeds and plant survival rate. The hybrids were cloned by grafting and treated with colchicine. One of the treated plants displayed chromosome doubling.

[Detection of varicella zoster virus infections using polymerase chain reaction]

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect varicella zoster virus (VZV) DNA in vesicle samples from patients with varicella and zoster. Primers and the oligonucleotide probe were chosen from the region of the immediate early gene 63. Procedures for preparing the DNA from the specimens were omitted, and the amplified DNA was directly detected in ethidium bromide-stained polyacrylamide or agarose gels, thus providing a rapid and less laborious assay. A total of 66 vesicle specimens including 3 crusts (collected on days 1-14 after the onset of exanthem) were tested by the simplified VZV-PCR, and 64 (97%) were positive. When the direct visualization of the amplified DNA was confirmed by DNA hybridization, a non-radioactive hybridization assay involving a digoxigenin-labelled oligonucleotide probe and detection by chemiluminescence proved as adequate as a radioactive hybridization assay. Thus, the VZV PCR described appears to be a useful diagnostic test for detecting and identifying varicella zoster virus.

Simplified fixative medium for direct immunofluorescence in skin biopsies

The main limitation for the use of direct immunofluorescence in skin biopsies was the necessity for frozen tissue. In 1973 Michel et al reported use of a liquid fixative, consisting of ammonium sulfate, N-ethyl-maleimide, magnesium sulfate, and potassium citrate, for handling skin biopsy specimens. The present study introduces a simplified liquid fixative medium consisting only of ammonium sulfate and saline. Comparisons of direct immunofluorescence findings in biopsy specimens transported in these two transport media and in fresh-frozen specimens revealed only minimal differences between the three different procedures.

Growth, interleukin-2 production, and responsiveness to IL-2 in T4-positive T Lymphocyte populations from malignant cutaneous T cell lymphoma (Sézary's syndrome): the effect of cyclosporin A

Functional analysis and surface phenotyping using monoclonal antibodies have revealed that malignant T lymphocyte populations in the peripheral blood of patients with Sézary's syndrome resemble the T helper cell populations from normal individuals. In this article we have studied the effects of the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine A (CsA) on growth, interleukin-2 (IL-2) production, and the induction of IL-2 responsiveness of peripheral blood monocytes (PBMs) from five patients with Sézary's syndrome in vitro, using the lectin phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and the phorbol ester phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) as stimuli. The following results were obtained: PHA-induced cell proliferation was significantly more sensitive to inhibition by CsA than that induced by PMA or a combination of PMA and PHA (P less than .005). Sézary PBMs produced only small amounts of IL-2 in response to PHA. Stimulation with PMA, however, resulted in significant IL-2 production. PMA and PHA, when given in combination, acted synergistically. The low levels of IL-2 production induced by PHA or PMA were more sensitive to CsA-mediated suppression than those induced by a combination of PHA and PMA (75% and 55% suppression, respectively). CsA-mediated growth suppression could be overcome if the cultures were supplemented with appropriate amounts of exogenous IL-2. We conclude from our data, that CsA in Sézary PBMs inhibits T cell growth indirectly as a consequence of suppression of IL-2 growth indirectly as a consequence of suppression of IL-2 production. Moreover, like normal T lymphocytes, Sézary PBMs do not express the IL-2 receptor spontaneously, but can be induced to do so. CsA does not interfere with intracellular events leading to the expression and the biologic function of the IL-2 receptor.

Long-term cytapheresis in the treatment of Sézary-syndrome

Lymphocytaphereses using the Fenwal CS 3000 cell separator were performed in three patients with far advanced disease of Sézary-syndrome that was refractory to standard form of therapy. Patients underwent cytapheresis two to three times per week until the WBCs counts were regressed. Thereafter, one pheresis per week was performed for a total of 29 (Pat. A), 18 (Pat. B) to 70 (Pat. C) procedures during periods of 13 (A), 4 (B) to 19 (C) months. During each pheresis the volume of blood processed was 6-7000 mls. The cytaphereses resulted in an average WBCs reduction of 25 to 35% and of 35-56% of the original peripheral blood Sézary-cell counts. Lymphocytes counts dropped by 47 +/- 12% and 87 to 95% of the collected cells were lymphocytes. In addition to the fall in absolute numbers of circulating lymphocytes a change in the relative portions of lymphocytes subpopulations was observed. T-cells were reduced and concurrently B-cells increased. Significant side effects did not occurred during or following cytaphereses. Long-term pheresis can effectively treat symptmoms also in older patients resulting in preferential loss of T-cells and Sézary-cells without exposing the patients to dangerously large shifts in fluid volume. The results suggest also that there may be selected patients for whom lymphocytapheresis is an useful therapy, but no in vitro test can reliably separate responders from non-responders, and some patients become refractory to further cytapheresis-therapy after initial clinical remission.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Vinyl chloride-induced hepatic coproporphyrinuria with transition to chronic hepatic porphyria

A chronic hepatic disorder of porphyrin metabolism was found in 36 workers with vinyl chloride (VC)-induced hepatic injury following long-time industrial exposure. Pathologic porphyrinuria, especially secondary coproporphyrinuria with transition to subclinical chronic hepatic porphyria, is a consistent pathobiochemical parameter for the recognition of VC hepatic lesions. The porphyrinuria is of diagnostic value for the incipient toxic phase. Erythrocyte uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase activity studied in six cases with initial chronic hepatic porphyria was normal, suggesting that VC affects only this enzyme in the liver.

HLA-linked complement polymorphisms (C2, BF) in psoriasis

Starting from the known association between psoriasis and several HLA antigens and from the fact that the HLA chromosomal region contains the structural genes for at least three complement components, the authors have looked for an association between psoriasis and allotypes of C2 and BF. C2 and BF polymorphism were examined in 230 psoriatic patients. Two rare complement genes were found to be significantly increased when compared with controls: the frequency of the C2*2 gene was 0.061 among patients and 0.035 among controls (P less than 0.05); for BF*SO7, the frequencies were 0.0304 in patients and 0.0092 in controls (P less than 0.0005). The BF*F gene frequency, however, was significantly decreased among patients: 0.1196 vs. 0.1743 (P less than 0.01). The relative risks were 1.79 for the C2 2, 3.44 for the BF SO7, and 0.6 for the BF F gene product. From previous studies, it is known that these three complement alleles (C2*2, BF*SO7, BF*F) are in linkage disequilibrium with HLA alleles that have also been found increased or decreased, respectively, in psoriasis.

[Liver abscess in chronic granulomatosis of childhood (author's transl)]

A thirteen-year-old boy with an abscess of the liver and recurrent infections since infancy is described. Aspergillus fumigatus could be isolated from this surgical treated abscess. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and monocytes from the patient show a normal phagocytosis, whereas the oxygen metabolism and the intracellular killing of kastalase-positive microorganismus (Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans) are strikingly decreased. In contrast, the catalase-negative Pneumococcus pneumoniae is rapidly killed. The iodination (131 J) of PMN is despite phagocytosis also markedly reduced. Myeloperoxidase could be detected in the phagocytes histochemically. No morphologic abnormalities of PMN have been found by electron microscopy. A defect of the humoral of cellular immunity has been excluded. The characterized dysfunction of PMN and monocytes as well as the clinical features of the patient are consistent with a diagnosis of chronic granulomatous disease of childhood.

[The vinyl-chloride disease]

Workers engaged in the PVC-production, who were long-term exposed to the gaseous base vinyl chloride exhibit a complex pattern of damages. Changes of the skin, vascular and bone system, as well as thrombocytopenia, liver fibrosis with portal hypertension, disturbances of the porphyrin metabolism and alterations of the central nervous system were observed. Moreover vinyl chloride is oncogenic and may cause angiosarcoma of the liver. By directed occupational medicine supervision, improvement of the production conditions and introduction of new processing techniques health risks at the workplace could be eliminated to a far extend.

[HL-A-B 27 in Reiter's disease with special reference to oligosymptomatic course forms]

In 21 patients with the clinical suspicion of oligosymptomatic R.S.), 21 patients with the clinical suspicion of oligosymptomatic R.S. and 16 patients with recurrent non-gonococcal urethritis 23 HLA-antigens were assessed using a lymphocyte toxicity test. 413 blood donors served as a controll group. 85,7% of the patients with R.S. had phenotyp HLA-B 27 compared with 7,4% of the controll persons. The group with the suspicion of R.S. exhibited with 57,1% a marked increased incidense of HLA-B 27 as well. Compared to this, the HLA-B 27 frequency in the patients with recurrent non-gonococcal urethritis was with 6,3% in especially of its oligosymptomatic courses. Because of the close association between HLA-B 27 and R.S. determination of histocompatibility antigens proved to be a valuable tool in the diagnosis of Reiter's disease, especially of its oligosymptomatic courses.

[The kinetoplast immunofluorescence technic using Crithidia luciliae, a simple test for the detection of DNA-antibodies]

The kinetoplast immunofluorescence test for the detection of antibodies against desoxynucleic acid (DNA) utilizes as a substrate the native double-stranded DNA containing kinetoplast of the hemoflagellate Crithidia luciliae, which is nonpathogenic in human beings. By studying the sera of 279 patients with dermatological and internal diseases, as well as the sera of 80 blood donors, this technique was assessed for its usefulness in routine diagnosis. DNA-antibodies were found most frequently in the sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (34/53). Additionally DNA-antibodies were demonstrated in some patients with cicatrical pemphigoid (1/1), autoimmune hepatitis (4/25) and myasthenia gravis (1/3). According to the experience thus far the kinetoplast immunofluorescence test appears to be a specific and well reproducible method to demonstrate DNA-antibodies in a simple way.

[HL-A B 27 a criterion for Reiter's syndrome]

The prevalence of 23 HLA antigens were examined in 21 patients with a typical Reiter's disease, 21 patients with incomplete Reiter's syndrome as well as 16 patients with non-gonococcal urethritis. HLA-B 27 antigen was found in 85,7% of patients with typical Reiter's disease as compared to 7,4% of 413 healthy controls. HLA-B 27 was also detectable in 57,1% of patients with clinical suspicion of Reiter's disease. No significant difference from the control frequencies of HLA specifities was found in patients with non-gonococcal urethritis. The association between HLA-B 27 and Reiter's syndrome is so marked that tissue typing is a valuable adjunct in the diagnosis of Reiter's syndrome.

[Industrial medicine aspects of lesions due to vinyl chloride]

The VC-disease is another example of the constant threat working people are exposed to. A resonable collaboation of all competent bodies will allow to minimize the hazards or to remove them, and thus to "humanize" the working conditions. The VC-disease should be recognized as an occupational disease, the maximal concentration of VC at the working place should be standardized. New chemical products of considerable economic importance such as VC should be examined carefully before being commercialized.

[Liver disease in polyvinyl chloride production workers - Clinical and peritoneoscopic aspects (author's transl)]

Peculiar clinical symptoms observed in polyvinyl chloride production workers of a nearby chemical plant arose the suspicion of liver and spleen disease in these workers before first reports on vinyl chloride-induced angiosarcoma of the liver became known. Starting at the end of 1972, 44 workers were followed up by biochemical investigations, peritoneoscopy and liver biopsy. As early as 1973 it could be ascertained, that advanced vinyl chloride-induced liver damage presents as hepatic fibrosis with splenomegaly, portal hypertension, and thrombocytopenia without conspicuous deterioration of hepatic parenchyma function. Similar symptoms have been observed after chronic intoxication by arsenic and thorium dioxide (thorotrast). The clinical and peritoneoscopic aspects of the disease are described.

[Fundus changes in Zinsser-Engman-Cole syndrome (author's transl)]

A case of Zinsser-Engman-Cole syndrome (Dyskeratosis congenita) with severe fundus changes is reported.

[Sequential scintigraphy of liver and spleen in patients with polyvinyl chloride disease (author's transl)]

Occurence of severe liver damage including angiosarcoma in polyvinyl chloride production workers necessitates regular control investigations of liver and spleen. Radioisotope techniques with small irradiation doses which give valid results should be used. Investigations of 15 patients with PVC-induced liver disease showed that hepatic perfusion as demonstrated by 99mTc pertechnate does not correlate with the uptake of sulphide colloid in the hepatic reticuloendothelial system. This provides evidence that in VC disease specific damage of the reticuloendothelial system of the liver occurs. Sequential scintigraphy also proved that the liver perfusion quotient can be considered as a measure of portal pressure. In practice this may be used for follow-up controls. Vascularized tumours described in VC disease can also be demonstrated by scintigraphy.