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The prevalence of serum antibodies which probably indicate infection with a human T-cell leukaemia virus type I was determined among random population samples of more than 100 healthy black individuals in several localities in Transvaal. The percentage of seropositive subjects increases northwards and eastwards, where geoclimatic conditions are similar to those of endemic areas elsewhere in the world. The comparatively higher prevalence among females in the Kruger National Park suggests that this is predominantly a sexually transmitted disease.

Antibodies which probably indicate infection with human T-cell leukaemia virus type I (HTLV-I) were determined in three species of non-human primates from several localities. A significant prevalence among chacma baboons and vervet monkeys was confirmed. According to sero-epidemiological evidence that HTLV-I infection is predominantly sexually transmitted between adult animals; comparison of prevalence rates between localities or species should therefore take sexual maturity into account. It appears unlikely that transmission from non-human primates to humans is frequent.

Measles antibody titres and HLA antigens were determined in 71 White and 11 Coloured multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and 71 White and 11 Coloured age and sex-matched controls. Measles antibody titres were determined by the hemagglutination inhibition test and HLA antigens were determined serologically by a micro-lymphocytotoxicity test. Measles antibody titres were significantly higher in MS than in control cases and this was true for both female and male patients. No association was observed between the HLA antigens, especially HLA-A3 or HLA-B7 and measles antibody titres in the sera of MS patients or controls.