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212 male prisoners were collected at the prison in March 1983. Anti-HBc and HBs Ag were detected by a combined test (AUSRIA-CORE, Abbott Laboratories). 67 sera (31,5%) were anti-HBc positive, 7 of them HBs Ag positive. Screening for anti-HTLV (anti-p24) was negative for all the donors. Beta 2 microglobulin levels were determined on 115 sera (B2-micro RIA 100, Pharmacia Laboratories). 8 had levels above 2,6 mg/l (greater than 2 SD). These 8 sera were anti-HBc positive and one of them HBs Ag positive 3 HBs Ag positive donors had non elevated Beta 2 microglobulin levels. This survey confirms that prisoners as blood donors should be regarded as carrying a high risk of transmission of HBV and probably other infectious agents with similar epidemiology. The signification of elevated Beta 2 microglobulin levels deserves further investigations since this determination could be of value as an additive test to increase the safety of blood products.

Four B3 and one A1B3 erythrocyte samples belonging to the same family were studied using several series of quantitative measurements: percentage of agglutination, agglutination kinetics and thermodynamic methods. For this last assay the erythrocytes were used fresh and after treatment by formalin. From the obtained results evidence was given that while B antigen density was lower in A1B3 than in B3O cells, the reactive structure is qualitatively the same in these two kinds of cells. The enthalpy change of the reaction of this B3 antigen with a non stimulated anti-B from A1O individual was -- 5,000 cal/mole, i.e. weaker than when normal B cells were concerned (-- 16,000 cal/mole).

Seven acquired B samples were studied with selected anti-B sera. Eight sera came from group A subjects, four from group O subjects. The anti-B sera reacting with the acquired B antigen are always a mixture of two kinds of antibodies: a fraction that is only reactive with B antigen, another that is cross-reactive with B and acquired B antigens. In some sera, especially those coming from group O subjects, there is, in addition, a potent antibody of polyagglutination for acquired B red cells. The polyagglutinability associated with acquired B red cells is analysed. According to the results obtained using lectins, four red cell samples are merely acquired B, the three others are acquired B + Tk. The polyagglutinability associated with Tk transformation is non sensitive to acetylation of red cells. The polyagglutinability specific for acquired B is sensitive to acetylation but appears complex in itself. According to the reactivity of selected sera for acquired B samples and the studies of inhibition with simple sugars, there are at least two antigens involved. One of them is present in all of the acquired B samples and it is likely to have arisen from the action of a deacetylase on a structure including N-acetylgalactosamine.

A radioimmunological method for the estimation of anti-haemophilic factor A was perfected and studied, making it possible to measure factor VII antigen as distinct from procoagulant factor VIII activity. The method uses a rabbit anti-factor VIII antibody, purified and labelled with I125. The technique of estimation is based upon the differential precipitability of specific factor VIII antigen-antibody complexes, which precipitate with 25 per cent saturated ammonium sulphate and of free antibody which does not precipitate under these conditions. The method is reproducible and sensitive, with the possibility of measuring 0.3 per cent of factor VIII antigen, i.e. 0.003 units/ml. Its specificity is confirmed by the absence of factor VIII antigen in a patient suffering from a severe form of von Willebrand's disease. Using this technique, normal subjects were found to have 96 +/- 31 per cent of factor VIII antigen in comparison with a pool of 25 normal plasmas. Haemophiliacs tested had, as would have been expected, antigen levels close to normal.

An abnormal chromosome 21 is reported in a child with a phenotype strongly reminiscent of trisomy 21 syndrome. It is shown to result from duplication of the segment 21q21 leads to 21q22.2. Comparison of the phenotype with that of other partial and total trisomics shows that the characteristic features of the trisomy 21 syndrome (mongolism), the mental retardation in particular - is due to trisomy 21q22.2 and perhaps 21q22.2.