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The incidence of hepatitis-associated antigen (HAA) in normal Thai adults is approximately 10%. When Thai children were studied for the age-specific prevalence of serum hepatitis-associated antigen it was found that the adult frequency is reached at about the age of 5 years. Children below this age showed a lower prevalence, with serum hepatitis-associated antigen being significantly more common in boys. In young children with severe protein-calorie malnutrition, however, serum HAA was found in 29% of 48 patients during their eight-week hospitalization, with no sex-difference in the incidence of antigenemia. In three of the four patients who were antigenemic throughout the period of observation the titer of serum hepatitis-associated antigen declined significantly as the patients' nutritional status improved. It is suggested that undernutrition and its associated defects in host defense mechanisms contributes to an increased susceptibility to infection with hepatitis-associated antigen. This may in part help to explain the relatively high prevalence of hepatitis-associated antigen infection as found in tropical countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study which examined the response to enteric bacterial antigens in infants and to rubella vaccine in older children. Materials and methods used; Results; Differences in human immunologic responsiveness.

Presents a study which demonstrated the blastogenesis of lymphocytes when incubated with an antigen from ragweed. Methodology; Results; Discussion.

Of 145 patients with nonbacterial lymphadenitis observed over a period of 10 years, 115 had clinical cat scratch disease (CSD) with a positive cat scratch antigen skin test. In this group 86% had a typical benign course of CSD; the remaining 16 (14%) had an atypical form. These unusual forms were: Parinaud's oculoglandular syndrome in 7, encephalopathy in 3, atypical pneumonia in 2, and recurrent suppurative lymphadenopathy in 1. Two typical cases occurred after a dog scratch or bite, and one after a monkey scratch. The disease was most prevalent in late fall and early winter; 80% of patients were under age 20 years. Primary lesions were detected in 55%, node suppuration occurred in 26%, and lymphadenopathy lasted 2 weeks to 2 months in most patients. Symptoms were absent in 35% of cases. Fever occurred in 26%, and exanthem was present in 4%. Lymphadenopathy was most common in the extremities (57%), and head and neck (43%). Cat scratch antigen was found to be a reliable diagnostic skin test. A negative test was found in 98% of control patients; a positive test was found in 94% of patients who were clinically suspected to have CSD and a history of cat scratch. Management consisted of reassurance, symptomatic therapy, and closed aspiration of enlarged nodes if suppuration occurred. Antibiotics were not effective. The disease is self-limited and has an excellent prognosis in the majority of patients. An etiologic agent could not be isolated in this study. Until the causative agent is known, it will be difficult to carry out preventive measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibodies against a group protein antigen of coagulase-positive staphylococci, Jensen's protein antigen. A, were present at similar concentrations in all paired maternal and cord sera. Teichoic acid antibodies were detectable less frequently but were present almost exlusively in cord sera from infants whose mothers' sera also contained teichoic acid antibodies. No IgA and only 0 to 27 mg/100 ml IgM were detected in eight cord sera containing antibodies against both teichoic acids and antigen A. Teichoic acid precipitates from adult sera were predominately also IgG, but 4 to 29% of the teichoic acid immunoglobulins were IgM and 0 to 6% were IgA. As compared to maternal sera, cord sera was deficient in IgM and IgA staphylococcal antibodies even though total concentrations of precipitating antibodies appeared similar in the two groups of sera. The relative effects of different immunoglobulins in preventing or combating staphylococcal diseases are unknown but deserve further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deals with a study which examined the prevalence of sensitivity to various mycobacterial antigens in a group of healthy children residing in a children's home in the southeastern part of the U.S. Materials and methods; Time occurrence of maximal reactions; Frequency of positive reactions to individual antigens; Problem of cross reactions.

Presents cases of ataxia telangiectasia which demonstrate the characteristics, clinical features and immunological abnormalities. Assessment of hypersensitivity skin reactions with antigens; Discussion on the absence of an immunoglobulin; Abnormalities on cellular and circulating antibody responses related to susceptibility to sinopulmonary infections.

Reports on the findings of a study regarding the reactions of children with endocardial fibroelastosis (EFE) to the mumps antigen skin test in the U.S. Criteria for the diagnosis of EFE; Details on the preparation of the skin test; Difficulties in the skin test.

Presents a study that evaluated mumps vaccine given after exposure to mumps with reference to an exposed adult. Information on the formulation of the vaccine; Use of a commercially prepared skin test antigen; Evaluation of test for susceptibility.