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Studies carried out on the red cells of a patient with autoanti-B agglutinin gave further evidence that it is probably not modified red cell antigens which cause autoantibody formation.

The introduction of a standardized paternity in index (PI) for the statistical evaluation of blood group findings in cases of disputed paternity is proposed and explained. Using the PI X/Y as a parameter, it is not necessary to give the probability of paternity in percent. The PI includes the full information of the blood group findings. In addition to that, using the suggested standardization based on the probabilities of error according to Schulte Mönting and Walter, the test volume is also taken into account. The interpretation of the mathematical result is given by verbal predicates, the limitations of which are dependent on the verbal predicates for the probabilities of error according to Schulte Mönting and Walter, published by us previously. Besides the essential fact that the test volume is taken into account, the most important advantage of this procedure is that the mathematical result is involved in the court decision only by the PI (which is free of any valuation) and its verbal predicate and not by sometimes relatively high percentages, which may be misunderstood by laymen.

An obviously new phosphoglycolate phosphatase (PGP) gene product (PGP Sumatra) was detected by use of horizontal starch gel electrophoresis (SGE). The observed phenotype PGP (1-Sumatra) can be distinguished from any known PGP type.

Erythrocytes of group 0 cde/cde successively treated with bromelin and beta-glucuronidase (DFE) react not only with antibodies (anti-DFE) contained in the IgM-fraction of each human serum but also with Rh-specific antibodies of the IgG-fraction of anti-Rh-sera. This indicates, that the enzyme treatment makes accessible two different possibly crossreacting structures. Since anti-DFE is contained in the IgM-fraction of all human-sera, the antigenic determinant reacting with anti-DFE is considered a polyagglutinogen not identical with the well known polyagglutination-phenomena (T, Tn and Cad) as it is shown by comparative investigations with anti-T and anti-Tn as well as anti-Cad active seed extracts.

The question of how often erythrocytes should be washed in order to obtain a protein-free and therapeutically efficient unit of washed red blood cells is still controversial. To obtain more information regarding this problem, 6 X 15 units of whole blood were washed 1-6 times with a saline solution immediately and after 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days of storage. After each washing procedure the content of total protein, of immunglobulins A, G, and M and of complement factor C3 was determined in the supernatants, as well as the osmotic fragility in the corresponding erythrocyte sediments. The statistically analyzed results enabled us to describe the average degree of influences as equations and to recommend a preparation prescription. The results show that the protein levels decrease precipitously after the first and second washing procedures. The following 4 procedures have no significant effect. On the other hand, with increasing time of storage more washing procedures are necessary to reach the same results than with younger units. That is also true for the concentrations of immunoglobulins and complement C3. The osmotic fragility of the erythrocytes increases with each washing procedure as well as each day of storage. According to these results, an optimal, protein-free and effective unit of washed red blood cells is obtained when a 1-2-week-old unit of whole blood is washed 2-3 times.

In order to ensure the economical handling of thrombocyte preparations which cannot be dispensed of and provided in unlimited quantities as well as in the interest of an indulgent behaviour towards donors it is desirable to adjust the platelet content of preparations in such a way that it corresponds to a therapeutically required, but also sufficient concentration. For this purpose, it must be possible to assess the yield of an apheresis in advance. This can be made without any difficulties by applying an equation developed according to a mathematical-statistical analysis by a multiple and partial correlation from 120 cases of apheresis, which shows, however, that the yield does not depend on machine data, but in a decisive manner on the donor's initial platelet number and the separated total blood volume.

The serum of a patient (Mr. Lat) with the regular blood group A1 B contains an anti-B reacting with all cells having a B antigen except Bx and cis AB. The anti-B reacts at 4 degrees C and occasionally at room temperature as shown by agglutination, absorption-eluction and by thermo-dynamic assays. The antibody is regarded as an irregular autoantibody belonging to the group of the so called "suppressed" or "latent" antibodies.

In order to desintegrate the membranes and to isolate Rh antigens erythrocytes with well defined Rh patterns are treated with ultrasonic waves. The results of investigation of the homogenous sonicates allow the following tentative conclusions: The Rh antignes (C and E) are combined obviously with certain functional membrane areas of a given size. After sonication the activity of the sonicate to neutralize specific antibodies is greater than the activity of the same amount of untreated cells. It is supposed that this effect is caused by making accessible hidden antigens that are inaccessible in the intact membrane. Immunization of rabbits with the sonicates does not stimulate Rh-specific antibodies.

Fifty-six patients with unexplained lymphocytosis were investigated with a panel of antibodies to lymphocyte surface antigens. In 23 the distribution of cell surface markers suggested reactive lymphocytosis. The remaining 33 patients showed a distribution of cell surface markers that indicated or suggested a diagnosis of B-cell lymphoproliferative disease. Two illustrative case reports show how such studies performed early in the investigation of unexplained lymphocytosis may permit earlier diagnosis of the underlying mechanism.

A new variant of the PGMa1 erythrocyte enzyme system not identical with the known variants of the system has been detected in the hemolyzed red blood cells of a healthy blood donor by isoelectric focusing. Using this technique the variant is represented by two bands, a strong and slow one more cathodically located than the a3 band and a weak one in the position of the a2 band. Using agarose thin layer or acetate foil electrophoresis the variant is represented only by a minimal cathodic broadening of the PGM1 1 band and therefore it is easily overlooked. Investigation of the propositus' family shows that the variant occurs combined with the common alleles PGMa1(1), PGMa1(2), and PGMa1(3) and that it has an autosomal dominant inheritance. Obviously the variant has a very low frequency.

Homologous blood can be spared by the donation and retransfusion of autologues blood which has to be supervised preferably or--in component therapy and longtime conservation--exclusively by transfusion medicine. In spite of the recently increasing interest in this form of blood substitute, the sparing effect is poor and of little importance, because it can only be applied in case of especially suitable patients and operations and it is more time- and cost-consuming than the homologous transfusion. The sparing effect could be increased if the method would be applied in all suitable patients and interventions. This aim should be strived for in every way because the autologous donation and retransfusion is the most secure form of transfusion.