Detection of main core proteins of simian C-type viruses and human retrovirus HTLV and antibodies to them in patients with lymphoid malignancies.

Peripheral leukocytes or lymph node cells and blood plasma samples from patients with lymphoid malignancies were investigated for immunological markers of BaEV, GaLV and HTLV. Antigens and antibodies were shown with radioimmunoassay. Antigen related to the p30 core protein of BaEV could be detected in each cell type of leukaemias and lymphomas. Antigen related to the GaLV p30 was found mainly in B- and O-cell forms, while that related to the p24 protein of HTLV could be detected only in two T-cell malignancies. Antibodies reactive with these antigens showed a similar distribution.