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Sensitization of dairy farmers to bovine-derived allergens and factors influencing this process were studied during the indoor cattle-feeding season. Eighteen typical family farms in eastern Finland were included in the study. Samples of airborne particulate material from stationary sites and the breathing zones of farmers were analyzed for bovine epithelial antigen (BEA) by the immunochemical enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) inhibition test. The levels of specific IgG and IgE antibodies against BEA and bovine urinary antigen (BUA) were measured from serum samples collected from farmers three times during the study. An association was found between anti-BUA IgG titers and BEA concentrations in the breathing zone. No major changes were observed between the antibody levels of sera collected at different times. In the samples from subjects with allergic rhinitis, however, a slight tendency toward descending anti-BUA IgE titers was found.

Chemically induced unilateral renal disease was associated with a high incidence of proteinuria, diuresis, a morphological spectrum ranging from perinephritis to acute tubular or cortical necrosis, and unilateral or bilateral glomerular fibrinogen deposition during the first 2 wk after induction. Later, a decrease in proteinuria and return to normal urine output was not infrequently followed by recurrent proteinuria, hypergammaglobulinemia, morphological alterations, and deposition of IgG and beta1C on the glomerular basement membranes and mesangium of the contralateral kidney and the treated kidney. Intercapillary deposition of fibrinogen in association with IgG and beta1C was occasionally observed in one or both kidneys. The morphologic, immunohistologic, serologic, and chemical findings suggest that this model may be useful for further defining the course and prognosis of unilateral renal disease produced by vascular insufficiency.

We sampled atmospheric barn air using a volumetric air sampler in ten barns near Cooperstown, NY and six barns near Rochester, MN, and, with radioimmunoassays, measured allergens of Aspergillus fumigatus, Thermoactinomyces vulgaris, Micropolyspori faeni, short ragweed, rye grass group I pollen, Alternaria (Alt-1), Dermatophagoides sp. Lepidoglyphus destructor, common insect allergen, mouse urine, rat urine, and cattle epithelium. The most abundant allergen present was A. fumigatus followed by L. destructor. This study provides initial data on barn aerobiology and demonstrates for the first time the abundance of L. destructor allergens in North American dairy barns. More comprehensive study of barns, poultry houses, confinement houses for swine, and other agricultural environments from various geographic locations is needed to define the allergen levels to which millions of farm workers are exposed each day. While most of the allergens were expected, the presence of airborne allergens reactive with antisera to Dermatophagoides suggests indirectly that substantial amounts of pyroglyphid mites are present in some barns.

A reverse passive agglutination method was developed to detect soluble antigens of Legionella spp. By this method Legionella antigens were detected in urine specimens from 14 of 15 antigenuric patients with clinically diagnosed Legionnaires disease and in none of 263 urine samples from healthy subjects or patients with urinary tract infections. Intra-genus cross-reactivity was observed only between L. pneumophila serogroups 2, 3, and 6. The Legionella reverse passive agglutination method was also evaluated with reference to reagent concentrations, test conditions, and subjectivity of reading test results. The method is rapid and does not require special equipment.

Human dander is shown to be a true allergen giving skin reactions most frequently in atopic patients. The clinical importance of human dander is discussed and data of a group of patients atopic only to human dander are given. It seems probable that human dander is an auto allergen and that there are many more auto allergens to which the atopic organism produces IgE-type antibodies.

Laboratory animal allergy is a serious occupational diseases of many workers and scientists engaged in animal experimentation. Control measures depend upon characterization of allergens including airborne particles. This study measured the particle size of crude mouse urine and pelt aeroallergens generated in mouse housing rooms and compared them with mouse serum albumin, a defined major allergen. Allergens were detected by specific immunological methods. Most crude and defined allergens (74.5-86.4%) concentrated on a filter with a retention size greater than 7 microns. In distrubed air, allergen concentration increased 1.4 (albumin) to 5 (crude) fold and the proportion of small particles increased from 1.4% in calm air to 4.5% in distrubed air. This information on the generation and size distribution of aeroallergens will be important in the development of effective counter measures.

Binding of specific IgE antibodies from the sera of patients allergic to animals was investigated by direct RAST, using the animal's dander, urine, saliva or blood serum as insolubilized allergens. In allergy to rat, mouse, guinea pig, dog, cat or horse, the RAST results with the excretions of a particular animal were mutually well correlated. RAST with the animal blood serum was positive less often, and only in cases of a positive dander RAST. It is concluded that a RAST with animal dander precludes the use of other animal products.

The blood group antigens A, B and O(H) are present on the cell surface of many tissues, including the urothelium. It has been shown that loss of these antigens from the surface of tumor cells correlated with subsequent development of invasion. Since the specific red cell adherence test demonstrates the presence or absence of these antigens the test may have an important prognostic and screening value. We have examined bladder washing specimens from patients with bladder tumors and normal controls for this phenomenon. The results in patients with bladder tumors were then compared to original biopsy specimens for the presence or absence of cell surface antigens. The study indicates that our technique presents a simple, reliable test that may be significant in screening as well as followup of patients with bladder cancer.

A reversed passive hemagglutination test was developed to assay relative concentrations of soluble antigen of Legionnaires disease (Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1) in human urine samples. The test is highly sensitive, being able to detect as little as 0.0002 microgram of total antigen. Preliminary results with this test on serial urine and serum samples from a patient with legionellosis show that measurable amounts of antigen are present in urine during the course of the illness. However, no antigen could be detected in the serum of the patient.

We investigated whether urine from normal individuals contains inhibitors of interleukin 1 (IL-1). Diafiltered urine from normal afebrile donors suppressed IL-1-induced interleukin 2 (IL-2) activity of mouse thymocyte supernatants. These supernatants, however, strongly suppressed IL-2-induced [3H]thymidine incorporation into the IL-2-sensitive cell line CTLL-2, whereas the urine preparations did not. This phenomenon was caused by an increased amount of thymidine secreted by the urine-treated thymocytes. Therefore, in order to prevent interference, experiments were carried out with excess [3H]thymidine. Under these circumstances, suppression of IL-1- and to a lesser extent IL-2-induced DNA synthesis was still observed, whereas the synergistic effect of IL-1 on IL-2-induced DNA synthesis was only marginally reduced. We conclude that suppression of IL-1-induced IL-2 production by mouse thymocytes is a major effect of the IL-1-inhibitory factor(s) in normal urine. When the murine EL4 cell line was used, the diafiltered urine failed to inhibit IL-1-induced IL-2 production. The detection of an IL-1 inhibitor in urine is therefore dependent on the target cells as well as the effects of IL-1 on these cells.

A method of detecting gonococcal antigens by solid-phase radioimmunoassay with radioactively labelled antibody is described. A specificity test has been developed that enables this method to be used to detect gonococcal antigens in urine sediments. When sediments from samples of urine from male patients with gonorrhoea were tested, 31 (74%) of 42 gave positive results, clearly distinguishing them from sediments from urine samples from men with non-specific urethritis, none of which was positive. Ten of 14 urine sediments from urine samples from women with gonorrhoea gave positive results, as did 3 of 18 sediments from urine samples from women patients without gonorrhoea. These experiments demonstrate that gonococcal antigens can be detected in urine by radioimmunoassay; the method could be useful in diagnosis if, after refinement, its sensitivity and specificity were to be increased.

Forensic investigations often demand a clear definition of secretor status. Lewis-typing of secretion stains may help to verify non-secretor results and to identify mixtures of secretions from Le (a-b-) persons and secretors (or non-secretors). Furthermore it gives an additional check on secretor status, determined by ABO-grouping. Few problems may arise, when testing prepared saliva or semen stains. Therefore our interest was focussed on the possibility of Lewis-typing in stains appearing in forensic case work such as cigarette tips, stamps and envelope flaps, semen stains and vaginal swabs, nasal secretion, sweat and urine stains. All stains with the exception of sweat and urine were successfully Lewis-typed. In saliva stains Lewis substances could be determined even after 5 years and in semen stains for at least up to 40 days.

The morphological, chemical and physical properties of HBAg suggest that the 42 nm component of the antigen, the Dane particle, represents the agent of viral hepatitis B. Its core contains a circular, double stranded DNA, a DNA polymerase and carried HBc-Ag. HBc-Ag is localized on the 21 nm particle, the tubular structures and the surface of the Dane particles. At least 8 different subdeterminants of HBs-Ag could be distinguished by means of specific animal anti-sera. HBs-Ag activity was demonstrated in almost all body fluids and excreta. The results of combined histologic, fluorescent and electronmicroscopic studies suggest ath HBc-Ag is localized in the liver cell nucleus and that HBs-Ag is found in the cysterna of the smooth endoplasmatic reticulum of the hepatocytes. The demonstration of HBs-Ag and the specific DNA polymerase in the serum indicate a hepatitis b virus infection with persistent reproduction of the agent, while demonstration of anti-HBs indicates that the infection has been overcome. The clinical importance importance of anti-HBc is controversial.

Most of the major allergens that have been isolated from laboratory and domestic animals have been found to be acidic proteins, with molecular weights lower than that of serum albumin (Table II). Recent advances in characterization of antigens from these animals have emphasized that urine and saliva can be as important as epithelia as sources of relevant allergens. Urinary protein allergens are found in mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits, whereas cat saliva contains all the major allergens found in cat pelt extract. Urinary proteins from mice, rats and guinea pigs and salivary proteins from cats have been identified in air samples of rooms inhabited by these animals. There is now sufficient immunochemical data to standardize allergens from mice, rats and cats for diagnosis and immunotherapeutic trials.

First two cases of alpha-CD recognized in the USSR are described. Their immunochemical patterns were typical of this disease. Alpha chain proteins in sera were identified with the help or antisera to IgA, containing antibodies to alpha-chains and to Fab-fragment of IgA. Not only IEP but also SRID were proved to be useful for detecting alpha-CP since double rings were formed by alpha-CP-containing sera: the external ring was formed by alpha CP and the internal ring by normal IgA. Alpha-chain proteins were found in all the patient's secretions (coprofiltrates, saliva, urine), but only in coprofiltrates alpha-CP was bound to SC; in urine and saliva free alpha-CP in these secretions to bind SC. With the help of antiserum to P-determinant alpha-CP was shown to exist in true polymeric (dimeric) form only in coprofiltrates, but not in urine or saliva. A marked shift of kappa/lambda ratio towards kappa chains was revealed in the whole serum and IgG-fraction of one patient; this can be considered either as a result of a peculiar immune response to various antigens because of the deficiency of local immune system, or as an initial phase of development of monoclonal IgGk gammopathy.

The distribution of the major allergen of the domestic cat, cat allergen 1, was studied in 22 different tissues obtained from a male and female cat and in samples of saliva and urine. Of the cat tissues studied, only extracts of pelt and female brain contained amounts of cat allergen 1 in excess of 0.50 U/ml. Smaller amounts of cat allergen 1 were found in extracts of eye, thyroid, ovary, sublingual gland and large intestine. Unstimulated cat saliva contained a mean of 1.08 U/ml cat allergen 1. Saliva stimulated with ketamine HCl alone, or with ketamine HCl plus pilocarpine, contained 0.68-8.16 U/ml cat allergen 1. In all of the stimulated saliva collections, the total quantity of cat allergen 1 obtained was relatively constant (between 40 and 80 U). These results suggested that the elaboration of cat allergen 1 in saliva is independent of parasympathetic control. Cat allergen 1 could only be detected in cat urine that had been concentrated 9-fold in concentrations of less than 0.5 U/ml. The above results support the hypothesis that the major source of cat allergen 1 is the saliva, and that the presence of cat allergen 1 in the pelt is due to deposition of the allergen during grooming.

The opsonic effect of urine from normal adults and patients with acute cystitis on phagocytosis of yeast and E. coli by purified human neutrophils was investigated. Urine with an osmotic pressure between 200 and 500 mOsm./kg. was the most effective as an opsonic buffer in either phagocytosis of yeast or E. coli by PMN. However, those with an osmotic pressure greater than 500 mOsm./kg. or less than 200 mOsm./kg. were rather suppressive to phagocytosis by PMN. Patient's urine exhibited a more potent opsonic effect on phagocytosis of either bacteria when compared with that of normal urine with a similar osmotic pressure. Heat inactivation gave no effect on the potent opsonic activity of patient's urine, suggesting that complement may not be working in these phagocytosis systems or that the test urine may originally contain no complement. However, immunoelectrophoretic survey of test urine and addition of serum proteins into the urine suggest the possibility that certain serum derived urine proteins other than complement may play an opsonic role in phagocytosis by PMN in the patient's urine, although the factors have not been determined.

A survey of hepatitis B patients, asymptomatic hepatitis B antigen (HBsAg) carriers, and control subjects was conducted to determine the relationship between antigenemia and antigen excretion in saliva, urine, and stool. Radioimmunoassay was used to detect HBsAg. Specificity-confirmed HBsAg was detected in the saliva of 6 (30%) of 20 antigenemic patients, 1 (5%) of 20 nonantigenemic patients, 14 (34%) of 41 carriers, and 0 of 112 controls. HBsAg was detected in urine only after 100-fold concentration of first-morning specimens. Specificity-confirmed HBsAg was present in the urine of 7 (16%) of 43 carriers; unconfirmed HBsAg was found in the urine of 5 (13%) of 38 patients and 5 (5%) of 112 controls. Unconfirmed HBsAg was detected in concentrated stool specimens from 5 (46%) of 11 patients and 3 of 8 carriers and controls. Longitudinally collected specimens from antigenemic subjects showed no consistent patterns of antigen excretion.

Urinary proteins, concentrated and separated on cellulose-acetate membranes by counterflow isotachophoresis (ITP), were transferred by direct contact onto a strip of nitrocellulose membrane (NCM). ITP in the system of electrolytes: tris-HCl, pH 6.7 (the leading one) and tris-beta-alanine, pH 8.6 (the terminal one) gives rise to a strong electroendo-osmotic flow (EEF) in NCM, directed to the cathode. The rate of the counterflow in the zone, occupied by the leading electrolyte, exceeds the migration rate of any protein possessing anode mobility and present in the zone. Under these circumstances EEF serves as a "conveyer belt" transferring immunological reagents (antibodies, immunoconjugates, peroxidase) through the protein bands, "printed" on NCM. The immunoblots were developed in a standard way with 4-ethyl-1-naphthol as a substrate for antibody-bound peroxidase. The counterflow immunoblotting makes it possible to reveal and characterize light chains of immunoglobulins when they are present in the urine in the range of 20 ng/ml.

The commercial cat and dog allergen extracts are traditionally prepared from pelt, fur or dander. However, there is increased evidence of the allergenicity of saliva and urine of the animals. We have investigated 25 asthmatic children with a positive cat and/or dog RAST result. All 20 subjects with a positive cat RAST gave a positive skin prick test result to cat saliva, cat urine and cat hair. Analogously, all 20 subjects with a positive dog RAST had a positive skin reaction to dog saliva, urine and dander. In RAST inhibition experiments with dog and cat allergen discs, dog saliva appeared to be at least as potent as a commercial dog dander and hair extract, while cat saliva was less potent than the respective commercial extract. Both dog and cat salivas were clearly more potent than the respective urine. Significant cross-reactivity was observed between cat hair and dog dander in the RAST inhibition, whereas saliva and urine were shown to be more species-specific. An experimental dog dander preparation had about the same specificity as, and even higher allergenic activity than, that of dog saliva or urine. Our results suggest that saliva actually may be the best source of cat and dog allergen preparations. The importance of urine warrants further investigation.

Guinea-pigs sensitised to ovalbumen excrete the antigen in their urine in a therapeutic concentration which prevents anaphylactic death after injection of a challenge dose of the ovalbumen. Sublingual administration of the correct dose of urine from allergic patients also provides therapeutic control of their allergic symptoms. The effective dose is determined by bio-assay. The Neutralisation dose is recognised by disappearance of buccal sensation to the urine. Readministration of salivary, nasal, and sweat secretions from allergic patients onto the conjunctiva also controls allergic symptoms. These procedures provide effective physiological self-defence therapies against allergic challenge in humans.

Freeze-dried extracts from cat dander and the corresponding rabbit antibodies were used for establishing the CIE reference pattern for cat dander extracts. Anti-Cat Ag 1 and anti-cat albumin were used for identification of the corresponding antigens. CRIE on sera from selected groups of American and Danish cat-allergic patients demonstrated antigen-specific IgE binding to 10 of 15 cat dander antigens (Cat Ag 1 being the major allergen). Only minor differences were found between the two groups. Four of these allergens were serum proteins. Variable amounts of many of the 10 allergens were measured by QIE in saliva, serum, urine and three cat pelt extracts. However, extremely wide ranges for content of the serum allergens and the non-serum allergens were found. This was exemplified by an albumin/cat Ag 1 ratio between 1 and 400, smallest in cat dander. Immunoabsorption using anti-cat dander, anti-cat albumin and anti-Cat Ag 1 indicated that the anti-cat dander, anti-cat albumin, and the anti-Cat Ag 1 absorbed approximately 90%, 25%, and 56%, respectively, of the dander RAST activity, and 87%, 11%, and 45%, respectively, of the saliva RAST activity, confirming the major importance of Ag 1. It is concluded that cat allergenic extracts should contain only modest amounts of serum albumin and other serum-derived antigens and that any relevant standardization must include quantification of at least Cat Ag 1 and cat albumin.

The antigenic composition of an extract of rat dust, as a source of aeroallergens for rat-sensitive individuals, has been investigated and compared to the antigenic composition of rat saliva and urine. Of four main antigenic peaks identified by crossed immunoelectrophoresis, one antigenic peak (Ag 4) was demonstrated to be antigenically closely related to and with similar molecular weight (approximately 22 kd) and isoelectric point values as urinary prealbumin, already recognized as a major rat allergen. Ag 4 was present in all dusts studied and was also identified as a minor component of saliva. However, no component with the same electrophoretic mobility or physicochemical characteristics of the alpha 2-euglobulin of male rat urine that shares partial identity with the prealbumin was detected, even in dust collected from a male rat room. A second high molecular weight (greater than 200 kd) component, Ag 1, present in most of the dust extracts, could not be detected in either urine or saliva. Crossed immunoelectrophoresis and skin prick tests confirmed the allergenicity of both these antigens. Analysis of an air filter sample taken within a male rat room revealed significant amounts of the "prealbumin" component, and a monospecific antiserum to this component was used to quantitate levels in dusts collected from various locations. These findings suggest that a major inhalant allergen present in rat dust is closely related to urinary prealbumin but that this and other allergenic components may not be derived predominantly from rat urine or saliva but possibly from secretions originating from the skin of the animals and present in the fur.

Using the major rat allergen as a model has made it possible to study both natural exposure and the human immune response to an important laboratory animal. The close correlation between positive skin tests to whole rat urine and IgE antibody to the major urinary allergen in this and previous studies supports the use of this protein as a model rat allergen. Measurements of airborne rat allergen confirm that the maximum levels are higher than those reported with pollen or mite allergens. However, it is possible that exposure to rat allergens is comparable to levels of exposure to cat salivary allergens in houses with cats. The clear implication is that the high levels of exposure are responsible for the fact that a large proportion of exposed individuals develop IgG antibodies. Our results suggest that the prevalence of IgG antibodies (not individual levels) in a group of workers would be a good guide to exposure. This leaves unresolved why some of the individuals who develop IgG ab also develop IgE ab and become at risk for developing asthmatic responses. Only part of this risk is related to atopy. A striking feature of all the studies on animal allergy is the close association between IgE ab and asthma. It appears clear that it is those immune responses that include IgE ab that are a risk factor for asthma. It is not sensible for anyone to remain consistently sick with asthma and continue working with laboratory animals because there are well documented examples of occupational asthma that has not resolved after ceasing exposure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Using antigen-binding radioimmunoassays, we have measured class specific antibodies against two major inhalant allergens, antigen P1 from D. pteronyssinus and Rye I from grass pollen, in sera from 69 patients with atopic dermatitis. The results show that many of the patients have IgE ab to these allergens in keeping with their skin tests. In all cases, the IgE ab was paralleled by IgG ab to the same allergen. In many sera, IgE ab to these inhalant allergens made a significant contribution to the total serum IgE. With two other allergens to which these patients had not been exposed, specific IgE ab was detected in only one serum, whereas the 42 sera tested did not contain IgE ab to diphtheria toxin. Eleven of the adult patients with atopic dermatitis had no history of asthma and had strongly positive skin tests. This group of patients had levels of total IgE and specific ab to antigen P1 that were very similar to those found in a comparable group of patients who had both atopic dermatitis and asthma. Our recent finding that allergens applied to the skin can induce delayed eczematous lesions provides a mechanism by which allergens could contribute to skin lesions. Our present results support the view that specific sensitivity to common allergens should be taken into account in considering the causes of these patients' skin lesions.

A nuclear antigen was detected in the mouse liver nonhistone protein fraction by using antibodies to whole liver cells. The antigen was purified to homogeneity from perchloric acid extracts of liver tissue. It gave a single band corresponding to tool wt 21,000 in sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis. Amino acid and carbohydrate analysis showed predominance of the acidic amino acids, lack of proline, and absence of carbohydrate. Immunofluorescence staining of liver sections confirmed the nuclear localization of the antigen. Its tissue distribution was studied by using radioimmunoassay. Of the various tissues extracted for analysis, the liver contained the highest amounts of the antigen, about 1 mug/mg of solubilized liver protein. Other tissues examined showed 2-4 percent of the amount of antigen present in the liver. Two transplantable hepatomas in C3H/HeJ and C57L/J mice, respectively, and three spontaneous C3H hepatomas showed greatly decreased levels of the antigen compared to normal liver. The amount of antigen in hepatomas varied from nondetectable to 2 percent of the amount of antigen found in the livers of the mice. The antigen was also found in the blood. The antigen was found in high concentrations (up to 13 mg/ml) in the urine of normal mice. This suggests identity with the previously known mouse urinary protein (MUP). In addition to the extremely high urinary output, the properties found to be shared by MUP and the nuclear antigen included similar serum concentrations (2-60 mug/ml), a sex difference with lower values in females, same molecular size as determined by gel filtration, and immunological identity. The nuclear localization of MUP and its disappearance from hepatomas suggest that it may have an important regulatory function.

We report the development and testing of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with excellent sensitivity for the detection of Haemophilus influenzae type b (HI(b)) antigen in clinical specimens from patients with HI(b) meningitis. The assay, an indirect sandwich technique, uses polystyrene balls as a solid phase and an alkaline phosphatase-labeled goat anti-rabbit globulin conjugate. Specimens are incubated with polystyrene balls armed with burro anti-HI(b) antiserum, and recognition antibody is visualized by addition of alkaline phosphatase-labeled anti-globulin, together with the enzyme substrate p-nitrophenyl phosphate. Concentrations of antigen are determined from standard curves prepared by using purified HI(b) capsular antigen polyribophosphate. The assay reproducibly detects polyribophosphate at concentrations between 1 and 5 ng/ml. Cross-reactions have not as yet been encountered in simulated and authentic clinical specimens containing other species including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, group B Streptococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Neisseria meningitidis, and Listeria monocytogenes. In preliminary tests with 11 spinal fluid specimens, 2 serum specimens, and 5 urine specimens from patients with culture-proved HI(b) meningitis, antigen was detected in all specimens in concentrations ranging from 1 to 7,000 ng/ml. Antigen was not detected in any of 62 clinical specimens which were culture negative for HI(b), including 11 spinal fluid specimens from patients with bacterial meningitis caused by microorganisms other than HI(b). The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique described here is considerably simpler than radioimmunoassay and, based on concurrent tests with 14 positive clinical specimens, may be more sensitive than counterimmunoelectrophoresis. It seems, therefore, to hold considerable promise for clinical use in rapid detection of systemic HI(b) infections.

An antiserum, prepared against partially reduced and alkylated rat milk SIgA, was shown to contain antibodies reacting with a rat milk protein of alpha-2 mobility, which possessed antigenic determinants common with SIaA, eluted from Sephadex G-200 at the same position as mammalian secretory components, and could be released from rat SIgA by mild reduction and alkylation. This protein, called rat secretory component, was also detected in saliva, tears and urine. Rat free secretory component (FSC) possessed antigenic determinants which were inaccessible in rat SIgA, as found in other species. In vitro, ra FSC combined with rat serum polymeric IgA or IgM, but not with monomeric IgA or IgG. These data emphasize the many similarities between the human and rat SIgA systems.

A 51-year-old man was hospitalized and operated on for gastric carcinoma with widespread metastases and died two months after the laparatomy and biopsy examination. Two years prior to the operation, he deveoped nephrotic syndrome. Anaplastic carcinoma, linitis plastica form, of the stomach was found in the tumor biopsy examination and at autopsy. Light and electron microscopical studies of the kidney biopsy specimen taken at laparatomy confirmed the presence of membranous glomerulopathy. An immunologic basis of the concomitant appearance of malignant neoplasms and nephrotic syndrome is possible, based on reported cases. There is also a possibility that renal damage occurs more commonly in malignant neoplasms, but is not recognized clinically.

Salmonella typhi antigens D, Vi, and d were detected in the urine of 59 out of 61 (97%) bacteriologically confirmed typhoid fever patients by slide coagglutination with monovalent antisera coupled to protein A-rich staphylococci. These antigens were also detected in the urine of an additional 22 patients, 16 of whom subsequently demonstrated seroconversion by S. typhi O antibody agglutination, but from whom the bacterium was not isolated. The remaining 13 patients had negative urine coagglutination results, no isolation of S. typhi from blood or stool specimens, and no demonstration of seroconversion. These results suggest that the method of slide coagglutination of urine can be used to screen patients with suspected typhoid fever with a high degree of reliability. The method may also have potential importance in the diagnosis of typhoid when the bacterium is not isolated.

The expression of ABH blood group antigens of bladder carcinomas heralds a relatively benign clinical course, whereas the antigen's deletion in tumors is often predictive of tumor recurrence and invasion. Using exfoliated urinary cells, we tried the prospective detection of ABH antigens. Though interpretations were independent, the status of antigens on exfoliated cells accorded with that on tissue sections. Detection of blood group antigens via exfoliated urinary cells is a noninvasive, reliable test that could be used for screening and surveillance of patients with bladder tumors. This method permits monitoring of patient ABH isoantigens by prospective screening.

Several substances in urine were found to inhibit the radioimmunoassay of added gonococcal antigens. The supernatants of two-thirds of urine samples from male patients with either gonorrhoea or non-specific urethritis (NSU) were inhibitory. The inhibition caused by many, but not all, samples was reduced or completely abolished by the addition of soybean trypsin inhibitor (STI); STI-sensitive inhibition is thought to be due to proteolytic enzymes, probably from pus cells. Their inhibitory effect was shown to be due to their action on gonoccocal antigens and not on antibodies in the assay system. Some supernatants contained other inhibitors unaffected by STI; some of these were dialysable and others were not. Sediments from the urine of patients with NSU or gonorrhoea were often strongly inhibitory, but treatment with STI annulled all but very slight inhibition. STI-treated sediments could, therefore, be used in an assay designed to detect gonococcal antigens.