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The article discusses the association of precipitins and coeliac disease by way of a study conducted to determine the antibody types that could lead to an understanding of the induced reaction .The study was based on the observation of blood antibody level of coeliac patients using precipitation and agglutination techniques. The study explains the gluten intolerance mechanism in the coeliac disease. The findings reveal the role antibodies belonging to classes other than Immunoglobulin E in the sera of coeliac patients. The results emphasize the importance of type Ill reaction in the pathomechanism of the disease.

The serum copper, zinc and iron levels, iron binding capacity and coeruloplasmin activity were determined in 28 maternal and cord bloods and in 50 infants and children. At the end of the gestation period the serum copper level increased, iron concentration remained unchanged while the level of zinc decreased significantly as compared to the values for healthy, non-pregnant women. Iron and zinc concentrations at birth were significantly higher in the newborn than in the mother, whereas the copper level amounted only to 20% of the maternal value. Subsequently, the copper level increased to reach the lower limit of healthy adults in the first to second year of life. The remarkably high neonatal zinc concentration fell significantly in the first 2 to 4 weeks of life and decreases to the normal adult level at one year of age. The changes in the trace element concentrations may be due to quantitative differences in the transporting proteins, variations in placental permeability and in the function of transfer proteins.

Serum ferritin concentration was determined by immunoradiometry in venous blood samples of 45 pregnant women at term, in their babies' cord blood samples, and blood specimens obtained from 43 infants aged 3-12 months. The concentration of ferritin was higher in cord serum than in respective maternal samples and infant specimens. Low values were found in more than half of the maternal venous samples. Iron stores of newborns delivered by mothers with low serum ferritin concentration were lower than in newborns of mothers having normal ferritin levels. Serum ferritin measurement is a sensitive method to determine iron deficiency in pregnancy.

Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed in 22 children with recurrent obstructive bronchitis and the recovered lavage fluid samples were analysed for concentration of IgA, IgG, IgM, IgE and C3. Previously a significant influx of exudate macrophages and persistence of bacteria on the bronchoalveolar surface were detected in these patients and a severe mucosal inflammation was observed bronchoscopically. The relative lavage fluid levels of immunoglobulins to albumin were significantly higher than in serum, indicating a local production of these proteins. The elevated levels of C3 indicated a high activity of the macrophages and the complement system. It is concluded that the mucosal inflammation in patients with recurrent obstructive symptoms cannot be attributed to a deficiency of immunoglobulins either in blood or in bronchial secretions.

Breast milk, especially colostrum was analysed quantitatively and qualitatively as well as the function of various cell types in it. The phagocyte activity of the mass of leukocytes consisting predominantly of macro- and microphages approaches the phagocyte index of leukocytes of the newborn infant, however, neither of them reaches the level of adults.--The lymphocytes traceable in a minor proportion produce secretory IgA as well as IgG.--On the basis of literary data the authors discuss the literature and their own results regarding the immunobiological significance of breast milk.

The elimination of indocyanin green (IGG) in selected mature newborn babies (n = 50) was investigated on the first postnatal day. The IGG dose was 2 mg/kg body weight. The half time (t1/2), the elimination constant (K2), the dye distribution volume (ml/kg), as well as the level of serum indirect bilirubin on the third postnatal day were measured and calculated. Healthy, mature newborns from spontaneous labor served as controls (n = 14): the two study groups consisted of either growth-retarded (n = 8) or acidotic (n = 8) neonates. According to the management of deliveries, they were spontaneous, assisted by oxytocin drop infusion (n = 10) or under lumbal peridural anaesthesia + oxytocin drop infusion (n = 8). In the acidotic neonates the elimination constant was significantly lower and the half time significantly longer. In the growth retarded newborn babies the difference was not significant. The increase of the level of indirect bilirubin in serum appearing in the acidotic group on the third postnatal day was significantly greater.

Serum ferritin was determined by immunoradiometry in children aged 6 months to 3 years, immediately before leaving hospital where they had been treated for various acute, non-haematological diseases. A low value was found in 13% of them. Serum ferritin concentration is a sensitive method in differentiating between iron deficiency and infectious anaemia. A significantly higher mean value was found in children affected by malignant disease (acute lymphoid or myeloid leukaemia, various solid tumours).

With the passive hemagglutination method the authors proved antibodies against milkprotein fractions in three of nine patients with hypochrome anemia aged 7, 12 and 17 months. In these children the X-ray examination showed an intestinal allergy, presumably the reason for occult intestinal bleeding which inturn caused hypochrome anemia. After milk was eliminated from the diet iron therapy restored a normal haemoglobin content. Iron therapy alone only improved the anemia, since continuing intestinal bleeding prevented fullrecovery.

The serum IgE level has been studied from birth up to 14 years of age. The mean serum IgE concentration was found to be correlated with age. Parallel measurements in cord blood and maternal blood yielded a mean of 25 I.U./ml (range, 0--90 I.U.) for the former and one of 124 I.U./ml (range, 50-600 I.U.) for the latter. The normal IgE level ranged from 20 to 100 I.U./ml in infants and from 100 to 200 I.U./ml in children, but even values of 400 to 600 I.U. did not necessarily reflect a pathological condition. In the majority of patients with eczema, urticaria and spastic bronchitis, high IgE levels were measured. The highest individual and mean values were obtained in children harbouring intestinal helminths, though a normal IgE level also occurred in such patients. In coeliac disease the values were within normal limits.