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It is well established that muscle-relaxant drugs may be responsible for anaphylactoid reactions during anaesthesia. In the present work we evaluated in 41 patients who had experienced anaphylactoid reactions during general anesthesia, the value of different radioimmunoassays (RIAs) and of an histamine release assay (HRA). The RIA was performed with different solid phases as PAPPC (para amino phenyl phosphoryl choline), morphine, TMA (trimethylamine) and TEA (triethylamine). The results were expressed as the percentage of 125I anti-human IgE adsorbed onto the solid phase. The sensitivity was estimated respectively at 95, 82, 93 and 64%. The results were significantly in accordance with those obtained with QAS-RIA (from Guéant) but a weak correlation was seen with Phadebas Rast succinylcholine (r = 0.85 and 0.53 respectively). The HRA gave with the NMBD incriminated a sensitivity of 88%. The correlation between HRA and IDR for the drug involved was 89% and 43% for the other NMBDs. The PAPPC RIA was apparently the most efficient test to screen sera for the presence of IgE antibodies whatever the NMBDs involved in anaphylaxis. An advantage is that this solid phase is commercially available and therefore this RIA can be used routinely with a high sensitivity, allowing the comparison of the results obtained by different laboratories.

Results of immunization against hepatitis B among Pasteur Institute staff members are reported. Prior to immunization, 439 subjects were tested for hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers, including HBs antigen, anti-HBs antibody, and anti-HBc antibody (Ausria, Ausab, Corab assays; Abbott). Forty-seven subjects tested positive for anti-HBs antibody. 317 subjects negative for all the HBs markers studied were given three intramuscular doses of Hevac B (Pasteur vaccins) at one-month intervals. Anti-HBs antibodies were assayed after the third injection with the following results: mean titer, 1,454 mIU/ml, standard deviation, 5,349 mIU/ml, and range, 4 to 41,100 mIU/ml. Anti-HBs titers above 10 mIU/ml were found in 879.4% of subjects. Non-responders and weak responders (anti-HBs titer under 10 mIU/ml) were given a fourth dose of vaccine. Ultimately, after the last (third of fourth) injection 97.6% of subjects had protective antibody titers. No case of HBV infection was seen during the seven-year follow-up period.

The aim of this study was to compare serum N-terminal peptide of type III procollagen to aminotransferases and gamma-globulins as a marker for histological activity in patients with chronic hepatitis and to assess the role of type I collagen, a new serum marker, as a marker of fibrosis in these patients. Sixty patients with biopsy-proven chronic hepatitis were included in this study. Liver disease was virus B-related in 29, autoimmune in five, drug-induced in five, and of unknown etiology in 21. Each biopsy was independently assessed by two liver pathologists. Two histological scores, a score of activity and a score of fibrosis, were established. Serum N-terminal peptide of type III procollagen and type I collagen were assayed by liquid phase RIA. Significant correlations were noted between serum N-terminal peptide of type III procollagen and scores of activity (r = 0.70, p less than 10(-4)) and fibrosis (r = 0.45, p = 0.0005), and between serum type I collagen and scores of activity (r = 0.46, p = 0.0004) and fibrosis (r = 0.67, p less than 10(-4)). When the correlation between scores of activity and fibrosis (r = 0.52, p = 10(-4)) was considered by partial correlation, serum N-terminal peptide of type III procollagen was correlated with the score of activity (r = 0.63, p less than 10(-3)) but not with the score of fibrosis, and serum type I collagen was correlated with the score of fibrosis (r = 0.58, p less than 10(-3)), but not with the score of activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A 50 mul sample of blood is placed successively in the presence of staphylococci, then of tritiated thymidine. Stripping film autoradiography permits identification of living intracellular bacteria which metabolize the marked precursor. In our experimental conditions, the percentage of marked intracellular bacteria is: -- 15,4 +/- 3,7% (x +/- 1s) among adults -- 14,6 +/- 3,2% among children.

We analysed epithelial-mesenchymal interactions that occur during the early stages of the formation of mouse molar roots using light and electron microscopy. Morphological changes observed in the cells of Hertwig's epithelial sheath, the pulp and the follicular mesenchyme are described. The Hertwig's epithelial cells lose their cuboidal form and become flattened, apparently intermixing with the cells of the follicular mesenchyme. At the light- and electron-microscope levels, immunoperoxidase techniques were used to localize fibronectin, laminin and type-IV collagen. These appear to be closely associated with cell differentiation and matrix deposition in developing tooth roots. In addition, at the ultrastructural level, intracellular immunoreactivity was detected. The rough endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear envelope of some cells of the periodontal ligament facing the acellular cementum exhibited specific reactivity with laminin and type-IV collagen. Moreover, these periodontal ligament cells express keratin, but not vimentin, filaments. Our results demonstrate that Hertwig's epithelial cells maintain their capacity to synthesize laminin and type-IV collagen, as well as to express keratin filaments, despite basement membrane fragmentation and the disorganization of Hertwig's epithelial sheath. Thus, some Hertwig's epithelial cells remain in the periodontal ligament intermixed with follicular mesenchyme cells.

Fibronectin (by laser nephelometry) and collagen IV blood levels (by radioimmunoassay) were studied in 183 diabetics and compared with 101 non diabetic patients. Diabetics have more collagen IV and less fibronectin than non diabetics. Divergence has increased since 20 years old; fibronectin blood levels is always low in diabetics, even in the young. Collagen IV is higher in diabetics with angiopathy, and specially if insulin dependent. Diabetics which have a good control have normals levels. In the other hand when HBA1C greater than or equal to 9%, collagen IV blood level increases quickly and fibronectin level decreases. The importance of the antidiabetic treatment is underlined.

The present paper describes the optimisation of a liquid phase [125I] C1q binding assay for the detection of circulating immune complexes. Blood must be collected without any anticoagulant. The serum can be stored or transported as usual without damage. A 90 min incubation is needed to reach the equilibrium of the reaction; polyethylene glycol (2,5% final concentration) is added to precipitate the [125I] C1q-CIC complex. By its simplicity and reproducibility, this test can be currently employed, especially in the case of treatment by plasmapheresis.

Rapid, specific and reproducible radioimmunoprecipitation assay (RIP) for measuring IgG antibodies against Yellow Jacket Venom (YJV) has been developed. The YJV-I125 is added to serum sample and the immune complexes are precipitated by a second antibody with polyethylene glycol. IgG antibodies were measured by RIP in 24 patients receiving Yellow Jacket Venom immunotherapy. RIP assays were compared for 159 sera to a solid phase procedure (RAST IgG).

The reconstruction of human epidermis during healing of human skin wounded after grafting onto the nude mouse was described in a previous paper (M. Démarchez, P. Sengel, and M. Pruniéras, 1986, Dev. Biol. 113, 90-96). The regeneration of the epidermal basement membrane zone (BMZ) and the reorganization of the connective tissue are the subjects of the present study. They were investigated by two complementary methods: electron microscopy to analyze the BMZ reorganization, and indirect immunofluorescence with species-specific and cross-reacting antibodies directed against laminin, bullous pemphigoid antigen, mouse or human collagens of types I or IV, human elastic fibers, fibronectin, fibrin, actin, and human vimentin, to examine the species origin and distribution of BMZ and connective tissue components during the regeneration process. It is reported that grafted human skin preserves its own immunological markers not only in the epidermis but also in the BMZ and dermis as well, and that, after injury, its regeneration proceeds according to the following sequence of overlapping events: production of a mouse granulation tissue; reepidermization by human cells; reconstruction of a BMZ with human characteristics; formation of a human neodermis. It is concluded that human skin grafted onto the nude mouse is able to regenerate its three structural compartments, namely, the epidermis, BMZ, and dermis. Interestingly, it appeared, also, that the connective tissue regeneration would be a two-step mechanism including the sequential formation of two tissues of distinct sources, namely, a granulation tissue and a neodermis.