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Atopic disorders are driven by the Th2 cell subset. We have determined the expression of costimulatory molecules and cell surface markers on peripheral CD4+ T cells and antigen presenting cells, in different atopic diseases, and we have also tried to correlate the expression of these markers with the severity of the disease. Cells from patients with atopic and contact dermatitis, mild or severe asthma, and symptomatic and non-symptomatic atopic rhinitis were analyzed by flow cytometry. Our results showed that CD30, CD124, and CD152 expression on CD4+ T cells was significantly higher in atopic dermatitis than in contact dermatitis patients (p < 0.05). It was interesting to observe that the cell surface expression of CD80 in T and B cells from atopic dermatitis patients was not enhanced as opposed to the other atopic diseases we analyzed. Our results suggest that there are differences in the immune mechanisms involved in the different atopic diseases, and that expression of CD30 in CD4+ T cells might be a marker of disease activity in atopic dermatitis.

In this work we characterized a 90-kDa glycoprotein from Alzheimer disease (9OAzgp) brain extracts that is recognized by the GalNAc-specific lectin from Amaranthus leucocarpus (ALL), as determined through Western blot. The 90Azgp was purified by electro-elution, and its amino acid sequence determined from peptides obtained after trypsin digestion through MALDI-TOF (Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight), and compared with the relative values obtained from the NCBInr (Swiss-Prot 10/01/2001) database. The 90Azgp showed 32% and 42% homology with the KIAA0310 protein from human brain and the human gastric mucin, respectively. Presence of O-glycosidically linked glycans in the proteins recognized by ALL was confirmed by inhibition of the lectin-glycoprotein interaction through hapten-inhibition assays and also by elimination of the O-glycosidically linked glycans after treatment with O-glycanase from Diplococcus pneumoniae. Electron transmission microscopy confirmed that the receptor recognized by the lectin is processed in the Golgi apparatus of AD neurons. Although the specific role of this glycoprotein has not been identified, considering that the presence of this lectin receptor co-localized with neuritic plaques and in AD sprouting neurons, it could suggest that the O-glycosyl-protein identified by the A. leucocarpus lectin participates in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases.

We purified a 70 kDa O-glycoprotein that binds to the GalNAc specific lectin from Amaranthus leucocarpus (ALLr) and determined its expression pattern on T lymphocytes from different murine lymphoid organs. High level of ALLr expression was demonstrated in 95-98% of both CD4(+)8(+) and CD4(-)8(+) thymocytes, and in 80-95% of CD8(+) T cells from peripheral blood, lymph nodes, and spleen, whereas a minor fraction of CD4(+)8(-) thymocytes (46-67%) and peripheral CD4(+) T cells (9-40%) showed low ALLr expression. Peripheral CD19(+) B cells were ALLr negative and most of the peripheral ALL(+) T cells showed a CD62L(hi)CD45RB(hi)CD44(lo/-) phenotype, indicating features of naive cells. Mitogenic activation of peripheral T cells increased 3-fold the number of ALL(+)CD4(+) T cells 24 h after stimulation, as opposed to a >80% decrease in CD8(+) T cells 72 h after stimulation. Our results suggest that ALL detects a non-described surface O-glycoprotein selectively expressed by naive CD8(+) T cells and by early activated CD4(+) T cells.

Aims: Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs can inhibit bone loss and preserve bone mineral density in in vitro models by inhibiting prostaglandins and inflammatory cytokines. Naproxen inhibits prostaglandin and cytokine biosynthesis. Our objective was to assess the effect of naproxen on the serum levels of IL-I, IL-6 and TNF in 18 patients with osteoarthritis., Material and Method: Two groups of nine patients each were formed randomly. One of them received naproxen 10 mg/kg BW bid for 2 weeks, and the other received placebo and paracetamol as needed. Cytokines were measured before and 2 weeks after naproxen administration by ELISA test., Results: Serum IL-I and IL-6 levels were reduced in the group receiving naproxen, suggesting a reduction of the degenerative changes in the patients with osteoarthritis, that may prevent the progression of the disease.

A functional genomic approach, based on systematic data gathering, was used to characterize a family of proteins containing a tripartite motif (TRIM). A total of 37 TRIM genes/proteins were studied, 21 of which were novel. The results demonstrate that TRIM proteins share a common function: by means of homo-multimerization they identify specific cell compartments.

In this work, we characterized chemically the N-acetyl-D-galactosamine specific lectin from Amaranthus leucocarpus syn hypocondriacus lectin (ALL). It is a dimeric glycoprotein composed by three isoforms with pl at 4.8, 4.9, and 5.2. Circular dichroism analysis indicated that the secondary structure of ALL contains 45% of \bibeta-sheet and 5% of \bialpha-helix. Amino acid sequence of the purified lectin and its isoforms was determined from peptides obtained after trypsin digestion by MALDI-TOF (Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight). The tryptic peptides prepared from the purified lectin and the three isoforms showed different degrees (80 to 83%) of identity with the amino acid sequence belonging to a previously described high nutritional value protein from A. hypocondriacus not shown at the time to be a lectin. Furthermore, analysis of tryptic peptides obtained from ALL previously treated with peptide N-glycosidase, revealed a 93% identity with the aforementioned protein. Presence of N-glycosidically linked glycans of the oligomannosidic type and, in minor proportion, of the N-acetyllactosaminic type glycans was determined by affinity chromatography on immobilized Con A.

The Myc proto-oncogene family members have been identified as the cellular homologs of the transforming oncogene of avian retroviruses. They encode central regulators of mammalian cell proliferation and apoptosis, and they associate with the bHLHZip protein Max to bind specific DNA sequences and regulate the expression of genes important for cell cycle progression. The other family members, Mad1, Mxi1, Mad3, Mad4 and Rox (Mnt) antagonize their activities. The Mads and Rox compete with Myc in heterodimerizing with Max and in binding to the same specific target sequences. These Mads:Max and Rox:Max dimers repress transcription through binding to the mSIN3 corepressor protein and by tethering histone deacetylase-containing complexes to the DNA. In a screen for Rox interactors we isolated Mlx, a bHLHZip protein previously identified in a screen for Mad1 interactors. In the present work we extend the known dimerization partners of Mlx by demonstrating its ability to interact with Rox. Moreover, we show that contrary to previous reports Mlx is able to homodimerize and to bind E-box sequences at low concentration levels. The possible role of Mlx in an emerging regulatory pathway and acting parallel to the Max driven network is discussed.

From the serum of juvenile freshwater prawns, we isolated by affinity chromatography on glutaraldehyde-fixed rat erythrocytes stroma, immobilized in Sephadex G-25, a sialic acid specific lectin of 9.6 kDa per subunit. Comparative analysis against adult organisms purified lectin, by chromatofocusing, showed that the lectin from juvenile specimens is composed by four main isoforms with a pI of 4.2, 4.6, 5.1, and 5.6, whereas the lectin from adults is eluted at pH 4.2. The amino acid composition of the lectin obtained from adult and juvenile stages suggest identity, but the compositions are not identical since a higher content of carbohydrates was found in the lectin from younger organisms. The freshwater prawn lectin showed specificity toward N-acetylated amino sugar residues such as GlcNAc, GalNAc, Neu5Ac and Neu5,9Ac; but in juvenile organisms the lectin showed three times less hemagglutinating activity than the lectin from adults. Both lectins agglutinated rat, rabbit and chicken erythrocytes, indicating that Neu5,9Ac in specific O-glycosydically linked glycans seems to be relevant for the interaction of M. rosenbergii lectins with their specific cellular receptor. Our results suggest that the physicochemical characteristics of the lectin from the freshwater prawn are regulated through maturation.

Background: The standard process of obtaining informed consent sometimes prevents physicians or patients from participating in clinical trials, partly because they are concerned about eventual treatment allocation or the physician is concerned the patient might harbor some uncertainty about the best treatment. Alternative randomization methods have been advocated that may address these and other concerns., Methods: After institutional ethics committee gave its approval, the authors interviewed 770 patients before operation and asked them to consider enrolling in a mock anesthesia trial. Patients were allocated randomly to one of five methods of randomization and consent: one-sided informed consent (the most common approach), prerandomized consent to experimental treatment, prerandomized consent to standard treatment, one-sided physician-modified informed consent, or one-sided patient-modified informed consent. Recruitment rates were compared and sociodemographic and perioperative predictors of recruitment were identified., Results: The randomization method did not result in any significant difference in recruitment rates: one-sided informed consent, 55.6%; prerandomized consent to experimental treatment, 53.3%; prerandomized consent to standard treatment, 53%; one-sided physician-modified informed consent, 60.7%; and one-sided patient-modified informed consent, 56.7% (P = 0.66). Multivariate predictors of recruitment were patient age >45 yr (odds ratio, 1.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08 to 1.93), English-speaking at home (1.49; 1.0 to 2.21), and male researcher-male patient interaction (1.37; 1.20 to 1.57)., Conclusions: No evidence emerged that alternative randomization and consent designs resulted in increased recruitment rates compared with simple one-sided informed consent for a sham anesthesia trial in patients awaiting elective surgery. Older, male patients were more likely to provide consent.

Background: Cytokines produced by macrophages and neutrophils participate in the host's defense mechanism; in infectious processes. Interleukins such as LI-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) also have a role in these acute phase mechanisms., Objective: Assess the effect of sodium naproxen on the serum concentration of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF in acute infectious process. MATERIAL A METHODS: Eighteen patients with clinical diagnosis of acute purulent pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis were randomly assigned to one of two groups of 9 patients each., Results: The patients in the first group received sodium naproxen and those in the other group received placebo. Patients of both groups received procaine G penicillin. Patients in the group receiving sodium naproxen showed improvement of the infectious and febrile syndromes within 72 hours. Patients receiving placebo showed signs and symptoms; of the infections and febrile syndromes for more than three days., Discussion: Patients receiving treatment with sodium naproxen had a statistically significant reduction of the serum concentration of IL-1b as compared to basal and 72 h measurements; there were also statistically significant differences with respect to patients receiving placebo. IL-6 and TNF did not change in any of the groups. These results show that serum IL-1b levels dropped in both groups with a more striking reduction in the group receiving sodium naproxen , that also showed a faster improvement of the symptoms.

Differentiation of most T lymphocytes is characterized not only by the variable expression of CD4/CD8 coreceptor molecules and increased surface density of the T cell antigen receptor, but also by changes in the glycosylation pattern of cell surface glycolipids or glycoproteins. In this work we evaluated the changes in the sialylation pattern in thymus sections from normal and dexamethasone treated mice. We used sialic acid specific lectins, such as Sambucus nigra agglutinin (SNA, NeuAcalpha2,6-Gal specific) and Maackia amurensis agglutinin (MAA, NeuAcalpha2,3-Gal specific). Our results indicate that the sialylation pattern was modified during the maturation process of thymic cells. The immature CD4-CD8- and CD4+CD8+ cortical thymocytes were recognized by SNA, whereas the mature single positive (CD4+ or CD8+) medullary cells, preferentially bound MAA lectin. However, in the corticomedullary region we found not only SNA+ cells, but also MAA+ cells. In the thymus of dexamethasone treated mice, the clusters of thymocytes undergoing apoptosis in the cortex were characteristically stained by SNA. These results suggest that in the initial stages of the differentiation pathway, a great number of thymocytes express an alpha2,6 linked sialic acid on their surface and as they progress to more mature stages there is a change in the sialylation pattern to alpha2,3 linked sialic acids probably due to a regulated expression of different sialyltransferases, which could be modulated by the thymic microenvironment.

Aims: Neonatal septicemia may have a mortality of 20% in newborns small for their-gestational age. This susceptibility for infections has been explained by immunological disorders. The aim of this study to know the effect of levamisole on the functions of chemotaxis and bacterial activity of PMN cells in newborns small for their-gestational age., Material and Methods: Twenty full-term newborns were studied. Ten of them were small for their-gestational age, and the other 10 had body weight within the normal range. Microbicidal activity and chemotaxis were measured, and comparisons between groups were made with non-parametric statistical tests., Results: In the group of newborns small for their-gestational age. Microbicidal activity was similar to control group, but chemotactic activity was reduced (p < 0.05).

Unlabelled: Chemokinesis and chemotaxis were measured in polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) from 51 children aged 1 to 8 years old, of either sex. Case group--41 non-allergic asthmatic children with chronic relapsing upper airways infections, diagnostic criteria were history of wheezing associated to an upper airways infection episode and negative skin tests., Control Group: 10 healthy children. A sample of 10 ml of peripheral venous blood was drawn. PMN were incubated with Hank's solution to measure chemokinesis and with C5a and Staphylococcus aureus extract to measure chemotaxis. Chemokinesis values in healthy control children and in patients with non-allergic bronchial asthma were of 46.0 +/- 7.1 vs 23.8 +/- 6.1 microns (p < 0.01). C5a-stimulated chemotaxis values in healthy control children and in patients with non-allergic bronchial asthma were of 91.0 +/- 21.3 vs 92.3 +/- 21.0 microns (ns), and Staphylococcus aureus extract-stimulated chemotaxis values in healthy control children and in patients with non-allergic bronchial asthma were of 97.0 +/- 22.4 vs 92.0 +/- 23.0 microns (ns). These results suggest that PMN from children with non-atopic asthma have reduced chemokinesis. After a chemotactic stimulus with C5a and bacterial extract, leukocyte motility is corrected and reach similar values to that present in healthy children.

Amaranthus leucocarpus lectin (ALL) is specific for GalNAc residue found in the inner core of Gal beta 1,3GalNAc alpha 1,O-Ser/Thr disaccharide (T-antigen) or GalNAc alpha 1,O-Ser/Thr (Tn-antigen). Flow cytometric analysis using fluorescein-labeled lectin and monoclonal antibodies against human cell surface markers indicated that 5.7% of mononuclear cells from human healthy donors are recognized by ALL. These cells have the phenotype CD2+CD4+CD19- and most of the lymphocytes recognized are also CD27+, CD45RA+ and CD43+. ALL possesses mitogenic activity on lymphocytes after neuraminidase treatment. Our results indicate that the receptors recognized by ALL could be considered surface markers for naive human T lymphocyte subsets.

To know the frequency of positively of several skin tests, data cards from patients, of the Allergy and Clinic Immunology Service of the Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Medico Nacional Siglo XXI (Mexico City), between January, 1989 and March, 1995, were reviewed. Aqueous extracts manufactures by our laboratory were applied, in a dilution of 1:1000 weight-volume. 1091 from 5,651 skin tests patients were positive. Asthma and rhinitis were diagnosed in 492, allergic rhinitis in 289, allergic asthma in 111, and other diagnosis in 199 cases. The most frequent inhalable aeroallergens were house dust and perennial Dermatophagoides p and f1 with predominance in the rainy season, followed by pollens from Fraxinus a. Quercus a and Capriola, with predominance in the rainy season. The most frequent fungi were Candida and Fusarium, with predominance in the dry season.

Focal adhesions are sites for integrin-mediated attachment of cultured cells to the extracellular matrix. Localization studies have shown that focal adhesions can be stained by antiphosphotyrosine antibodies, but the role of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins in focal adhesions is not known. By using ventral plasma membranes prepared from chicken embryo fibroblasts spread on the substrate, we present evidence for the preferential localization of a minor pool of tyrosine-phosphorylated paxillin in focal adhesions. Ventral plasma membranes showed an enrichment in beta 1-integrins, and in several tyrosine-phosphorylated polypeptides, while focal adhesion proteins like vinculin and paxillin, although localized to focal adhesions in ventral plasma membranes, were not particularly enriched in these preparations compared to whole cell lysates. Biochemical and morphological analysis of ventral plasma membranes showed a dramatic increase in the level of tyrosine-phosphorylation of the pool of paxillin localized to the adhesive sites, when compared to the paxillin present in whole cell lysates. The observed preferential localization of tyrosine-phosphorylated paxillin to focal adhesions may represent a general mechanism to compartmentalize focal adhesion components from large non-phosphorylated, cytosolic pools.

There are several devices known as spacers and aerochambers designed to help in the administration of drugs in spray into pulmonary airways in asthmatic patients. This study was done to determine the effect on FEV1 of salbutamol given through an aerochamber compared with metered dose inhaler and spacer. Thirteen asthmatic patients who met all selection criteria proposed, were included. Spirometry was operformed before and after salbutamol application by means of one of the aforementioned devices, assigned at random. The effect on FEV1 with metered dose inhaler was 22.76%, with spacer it was of 23.35% and with aerochamber it was of 23.94%. Statistical analysis did not show significant differences among groups. These data suggest that each of the three devices tested have the same effectiveness for administration of salbutamol in spray. This is, however, a preliminary study.

Meta-analysis is a research method which allows for the grouping of results from different studies relating to the same topic. Its main objective is to increase the precision surrounding the original research problem and provide a possibility to answer to different questions. This method has been developed in the areas of physics and the social sciences and has been widely accepted within the medical field. Its main use in medicine is in relation to the evaluation of therapeutic measures, yet its application has extended to the evaluation of diagnostic tests, etiological and prognostic factors. In spite of its development, there are still persisting problems in research difficult to solve because of the heterogeneity of the grouped studies, the identification of the size of the relevant effect and of the application of the results in clinical practice. The growing use of this research method within the medical field calls for its comprehension, as well as the recognition of its advantages and limitations in order for its users to be capable of judging the validity of individual meta-analysis.

The skin response to phytohemagglutinin was investigated as an index of cellular immunity in group of 50 children made up of 11 with thypoid fever, 13 with bronchial asthma type I, 15 with Hodgkin's disease and 11 controls. A mild but statistically significant (p less than 0.005) depression was found in the skin response of patients with typhoid fever and moderate in patients with Hodgkin's disease. In patients with bronchial asthma, it was similar to control cases; thus, in the future, finer parameters are considered necessary in these cases to investigate cellular immunity.

The per centum distribution of T and B lymphocytes was determined in 30 full term newborns showing adequate development for their gestational age and in 42 full term newborns showing in utero malnutrition. A significant decrease (p less than 0.001) of both lymphocytic subpopulations was found in the in utero malnutrition group. The possibility of a decreased efficiency of the immune response in this group of patients is discussed.

The bronchodilating effect of terbutaline and of adrenaline were compared in 15 patients with ages from 6 to 17 years, having a clinical and functional diagnosis of bronchial asthma, but without signs of infection. The results showed an evident bronchodilating effect, similar in both drugs, with minimal cardiovascular effects following administration of terbutaline (p < 0.005).

The study included 12 patients with acute ITP to whom subpopulations of rosette forming lymphocytes were determined in peripheral blood and in serial form, the number of platelets to establish a correlation as prognostic index in the evolution of the disease. No correlation was found between the progressive increment of platelets in the evolution of the disease. However, in patients with a tendency to remission, the percentage of E(T) rosette forming lymphocytes was low and normal that of EAC (B) lymphocytes. Dissimilarly, it was seen that in patients without tendency to remission, the percentage of T and B rosette forming lymphocytes was within normal limits. This seems to show that determination of the subpopulations of lymphocytes may be useful as a prognostic index in this stage of the disease.

During measles infection in human beings, depression of cellular immunity appears. The authors studied several groups of children with measles complaining of various degrees of malnutrition in terms of rosette forming lymphocytes in peripheral blood; marked reduction of T lymphocytes were seen in all of the groups during the acute stage of the disease, that persisted up to two weeks after the exanthematous stage. When comparison was established of eutrophic and 1st degree malnourished children with those affected with 3rd degree malnutrition, differences were found in the recovery of the number of rosett-E forming cells.

In view of the fact that relatives of patient with other connective tissue diseases may show immunologic abnormalities, we investigated cellular (PPD, SK-SD, candidine and diphteria-tetanous toxoid cutaneous tests) and humoral (IgG, IgM, IgA. CH50, C3, rheumatoid factor and ANA) immune responses in first degrees relatives (parents and siblings) of children with dermatomyositis. Of the 53 subjects tested, 19 had high values of one or two immunoglobulines; however, the mean Ig value was not different from that of the general population (p greater than 0.1), CH50, C3, rheumatoid factor and ANA were normal or negative. Cutaneous tests made on 46 subjects did not reveal abnormalities. Therefore our conclusion is that first degree relatives of children with dermatomyositis have not significant immunologic abnormalities.

Diphenylhydantoin (DFH) treatment for epileptic patients has shown adverse effects such as malignant lymphadenopathy, systemic lupus erithematosus, periarteritis nodosa and recently immunological alterations such as a decreased lymphocytic response to fitohemaglutinin and serum IgA concentration, therefore we thought DFH effect on secretory IgA would be an important finding. This phenomenon might imply a defect in resistance local mechanisms for infection. Two groups of patients were studied: a) 25 children with an established diagnosis of epilepsy, "grand mal" type, that received anticonvulsive treatment with DFH for six months and b) 25 children with a diagnosis of infectious meningoencephalitis that required DFH to control convulsive crisis. Patients with a history of recurrent infections, lymphadenopathies, hepatosplenomegaly, drug allergy, collagenopathies and immunodeficiency were ruled out from this study. In all patients T and B lymphocytes, serum IgA, saliva and duodenal fluid and IgA determinations were made. Results show IgA concentration decrease in saliva and duodenal fluid of epileptic and meningoencephalitic patients (p less than 0.05), as well as lymphocyte T depression in epileptic and non epileptic patients treated with DFH (p less than 0.001).

With the purpose to determine the duration of serum antibodies against E. histolytica by means of the contraimmunoelectrophoresis technique, 31 patients with the diagnosis of intestinal or liver invasive amebiasis were included in this study. In 92.3% of the 13 patients subjected to transversal study, no specific antibodies were found from 10 to 24 months after the occurrence of amebic disease. In 64.7% of 17 children with liver amebiasis who were studied longitudinally, no serum antibodies were found between 4 to 10 months after the disease. The possible factors involved in the varaibility of the duration of serum antibodies against E. histolytica are discussed.

Determinations were made in concentrated CSF immunoglobulins in two groups of patients with different neurological problems and in patients with surgically confirmed diagnosis of CNS cysticercosis. Antibody vs. cysticercus antigen determinations were also made in concentrated CNS by means of indirect hemagglutination as a procedure to establish CNS cysticercosis. Positive results were obtained in 68 per cent of surgically confirmed cysticercosis. This procedure seems to be more sensitive for CNS cysticercosis diagnosis.

Zinc effects on phagocytic activity depend upon its serum concentration. According to certain experimental findings, a decrease in zinc serum concentration is parallel to a deficiency in host defense mechanisms and thus we were interested in studying the effect of zinc sulphate in the phagocytic function of polymorphonuclear cells of 15 zinc deficient patients with III degree malnourishment. In all patients, zinc serum determinations were made before and after zinc intake and chemotaxis, phagocytosis and NBT reduction tests were made at 7, 14 and 30 days. Results are compared with an eight patient group with similar clinical and nutritional characteristics observing an improvement in PMN cell phagocytic activity in patients with zinc uptake (p < 0.001). No differences were observed in a chemotaxic phagocytosis and NBT reduction tests in regard to the time during which patients did not receive zinc uptake.

Familial frequency of malignant neoplasms from 20 children with dermatomyositis was investigated and compared with 225 controls. Eight patients with dermatomyositis (40 per cent) had nine family members with a malignant tumour; this frequency is significantly higher than those found in the controls with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (P less than 0.01), neoplasms (P less than 0.01), and a variety of diseases (P less than 0.05). This finding and the known association of neoplasm-dermatomyositis might suggest an hereditary predisposing factor, possibly a subtle inmune deficiency, common for tumours and dermatomyositis.

In a retrospective study (1963--1976) out of 514 children with the general diagnosis of arthritis, the diagnoses most frequently established were; pyogenic arthritis (45.9%), rheumatic fever (18.7%) and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (17%). Less frequent were tuberculous arthritis (5.8%), systemic lupus erythematosus (3.9%), hemophilic hemarthrosis (2.1%), and other connective tissue diseases (1.5%). Age of onset was significantly lower in patients with pyogenic arthritis. Pyogenic, tuberculous and hemophilic arthritis in most cases were characterized by large joint monoarthritis. Acute polyarthritis was common in rheumatic fever. Chronic polyarthritis was a frequent feature in the other cases. It is concluded that age of onset, number and site of affected joints, as well as evolution time may be useful in the diagnosis.

A case of plasma cell leukemia is reported, together with a review of the literature, including a summary of the signs, symptoms and laboratory findings usually present. The relationship of this leukemic state to ordinary multiple myeloma is discussed.

A longitudinal study was carried out in 40 patients with typhoid fever, 21 with infectious hepatitis and 15 with amebic liver abscess in order to determine percentual values of lymphocytes T and B in relation with age and nutritional state as compared to a normal control group. In patients with typhoid fever, a decrease of percentual values of lymphocytes T was observed starting on the second week of evolution with intensification on the third week, predominating in patients less than seven years of age and in malnourished cases (p less than 0.001) and late recovery in the group of patients less than seven years old. In patients with acute infectious hepatitis, there was depression of lymphocytes T that persisted to the eighth week and was independent of age, but more severe in the malnourished (p less than 0.001). In cases with amebic liver abscess, depression of lymphocytes T was observed during the first six weeks of evolution without relation with age or the state of nutrition, but with increased slowliness in recovery in patients under seven years. There were no disturbances in lymphocytes B nor in cutaneous response to dinitrofluorobencene (DNFB) in the three groups of patients.

One case of myeloma IgA is presented. It was associated with laringeal plasmocytoma and other lesions that afected superior airways The association hypergammaglobuinemia IgA and extraosseus lesions are under discussion. The extraosseus plasmcytomas can be seen in the presence of osteolytic lesions of multiple myeloma, or can appear independently. The prognosis can be better in the presence of disseminated skeletical lesions with few manifestations of tisular infiltrate, as in the present case. Despite the fact that extramedular plasmocytomas are rare, they must be considered in the differential diagnosis of laringeal tumors.

E. histolytica tissue invasion induces IgG and IgM and probably IgA serum antibody formation of different types in the intestinal mucosa. 21 children with intestinal invasive amebiasis were studied. Samples were taken from peripheral blood and stools during diagnostic studies and three weeks later. Contraimmunoelectrophoretic antibody determinations and indirect hemagglutination tests IH were made in an attempt to demonstrate its true nature. During the acute phase (first sample), results showed antibodies against amoeba in stools by CIE in 57 per cent and by IH in 80 per cent; in serum, results were 38 and 76 per cent respectively. In the second sample and three weeks after diagnosis was established a decrease in the number of patients with coproantibodies against amoeba was observed and the number of patients with serum antibodies increased. We are also providing evidence that supports the IgG and IgA nature of coproantibodies against amoeba. These results suggest the presence of a local immunological reaction in invasive amebiasis.

Reliability of indirect hemagglutination test was evaluated with PPD in CSF for the diagnosis and prognosis of tuberculous meningoencephalitis. The test was positive 100 percent in 22 patients with this disease and negative in 53 patients from the control group (p = 0.001) with viral or pyogenic infection in the CNS. No correlation was observed between antibody titers and the prognosis of the disease. Modifications of the original technique are described.

The study included 180 healthy children distributted into age groups from newborns to 16 years of age. The subpopulations of early E and EAC (T and B) rosette forming lymphocytes were determined. It was found that the main difference is placed in percentual mean values of the newborn where the value of T lymphocytes is less than for the rest of the ages studied, remaining stable beginning at the age of one year. In newborns, the values of B lymphocytes are greater; later, they drop but remain stable also since the age of one.

The study included 19 children with dermatomyositis. All showed frequently atypical cutaneous disords which in most cases were the initial manifestation. In every case there was some clinical evidence of proximal myopathy. Arthralgias were frequently found and sinusal tachycardia was present in 10 cases. The correct diagnosis was made from the beginning only in 6 cases. Systemic lupus erythematosus was the main cause of confusion. The differential diagnosis between these two entities cannot be made only by the presence or not of nephropathy, even if this disease was evident in 42% of patients with dermatomyositis. The most useful laboratory tests for the diagnosis and management were CPK, aldose and serum TGO. Electromyography was abnormal in every case where it was practiced. Muscular biopsy was valuable in 15 of the 19 patients. All were treated with prednisone and in most cases with good results.

To find out the possible relationship between thrombocytosis and JRA, 2 to 11 platelet counts (every 1 to 6 months) were performed in each of 26 patients with active JRA, and were compared with figures for hemoglobin, WBC, sedimentation rate and articular index. Thrombocytosis was found in 88% of the cases. There was positive correlation, with statistical significance, among thrombocytosis, anemia, and sedimentation rate. Significant relationship was also found among thrombocytosis, the presence of articular inflammation and leukocytosis. There was no parallelism between platelets types of the disease. We conclude that in active JRA, thrombocytosis is a frequent finding in relation with anemia and the inflammatory activity of the disease.

The various classes of immunoglobulins with antibody function against E. histolytica were studied in 8 children with amebic liver abscess and in 7 with acute intestinal amebiasis. The predominant fraction was IgG in 7 patients from the first group and in 1 from the second; this suggests a secondary type humoral immune response which implies a previous experience with E. histolytica antigens. A definitive predominance of IgM was shown in a patient with amebic liver abscess, the same as in primary humoral immune response. Humoral antibodies did not develop in the remaining 6 patients with acute intestinal amebiasis. The disparateness of the humoral immune response found in these cases make it difficult to speculate on the role of immunoglobulins in the pathogenesis or in immunologic protection in amebiasis. Possibly, the most important is the participation of cellular immunity.

The concentration and activity of alpha 1-antitrypsin were studied in 20 children with the diagnosis of neonatal hepatitis. The concentration of alpha 1-AT was found normal or high in all of the patients (3.6 +/- 0.12 mg/ml). No case was found with PiZZ homozygote type alpha 1-AT deficiency. The activity of alpha l-AT was found decreased in 90% of the patients with neonatal hepatitis (control: 0.86 +/- 0.18 mg. trypsin inhibited by ml. of serum; neonatal hepatitis: 0.49 +/- 0.07 mg/ml.). The possibility that this may correspond to a disorder characteristic of neonatal hepatitis is mentioned.