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Folates were determined in 148 patient sera, using four different methods: a microbiological assay (Reference Method), two radioassays (Magic B12 FOL [NB] and SimulTRAC SNB no boil kits) and a non isotopic competition method (Magic Lite kit). Folate mean varied according to the methods 10.0 nmol.l-1 (reference method), 12.2 nmol.l-1 (Magic Lite), 8.7 nmol.l-1 (Magic B12 FOL [NB]) and 10.8 nmol.l-1 (SimulTRAC SNB NO boil). Poor correlations were also noted (0.83 < r < 0.95, figures 1 and 2). Differences between methods were explained according to the literature.

The authors discuss about the functions and the evolution of total specific IgG antibodies and specific antibodies of the IgG1 and IgG4 isotype during desensitization treatment.

We report a radio-immunoprecipitation method for the measurement of circulating insulin antibodies using porcine, bovine or human radiolabeled insulin and precipitation of the bound fraction by a combined polyethylene glycol--second antibody method. The coefficient of variation for intra- and inter-assay is below 8,5 p. cent and 17 p. cent respectively. 100 insulin treated patients sera were tested in the three systems: the results showed a great scattering; for the same serum, the values obtained with porcine and human insulins are below that with bovine insulin. The data correlated statistically significantly with those found with a commercial kit (r = 0,97, n = 170, t = -4,91, p greater than 0,001).

The authors have developed a solid phase radioimmunoassay for the detection of antibodies to collagens. They give the technical data of this assay and some results mainly in rheumatic diseases.

Serum immunoglobulin levels IgG, IgA, IgM were assayed by laser-nephelometry and IgD by a liquid phase radio-immunoassay in 133 patients with monoclonal gammopathy. Our result show that IgD concentration decrease in parallel with polyclonal immunoglobulin levels. We observe a decrease of IgD level, more pronounced in malignant gammopathy in which the polyclonal immunoglobulin levels are usually low.