bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blood Grouping and Poliomyelitis
Authors: Madsen Th. , Engle E. T. , Jensen Claus , Freuchen Ib
Published: January 2023

In the 1934 epidemic of poliomyelitis in Denmark, we have collected 1118 cases in which the blood group of the patients was recorded. For comparison we offer nearly 20,000 cases of blood groups in the state of Denmark. There is no significant difference in the percentage of polio cases in each blood group as compared with the general population. The series which includes paralytic cases of known blood group (47 cases) is too small for comparison, although the data are presented. From these data we conclude that there is no especial susceptibility or resistance to poliomyelitis attack, which may be related to the blood group of the patient, in the cases occurring in the epidemic under discussion.
A Procedure for the Serological Determination of Blood-Relationship of Ancient and Modern Peoples with Special Reference to the American Indians
Authors: Matson G. Albin
Published: January 2023

Summary and Conclusions

When the procedure which is applicable to detect blood-group antigens in saliva was applied to suspensions of washed and dried tissues taken from cadavers of known blood-groups, a certain amount of non-specific agglutinin-adsorption, due to the presence of particulate matter, was observed. To obviate this difficulty the antigens were extracted by repeated freezing and thawing of tissues; the saline extracts thus obtained permitted correct identification of known cadaveric tissues.

Similar extracts of muscle from Indian and Egyptian mummies were tested with O (α β) serum and anti-O bovine serum. As controls, muscle-tissue extracts of known O and A cadavers were used. The extracts of muscle-tissue of Indian mummies uniformly failed to neutralize either α or β agglutinin, but, with one exception, all neutralized the anti-O agglutinin of bovine serum. On the other hand 2 of 6 Egyptian mummies possessed the B antigen and one contained A.

A procedure has been developed by means of which the blood-groups in mummies may be determined. This serological procedure offers a means of tracing the blood-relationships between ancient and modern peoples.
Antibody in Relation to Immunity in Acute Poliomyelitis
Authors: Kolmer John A. , Rule Anna M.
Published: January 2023

The antiviral substance occurring in the blood appears to be a true antibody capable of neutralizing but not necessarily destroying the virus of poliomyelitis. This antibody occurring in the blood of normal human beings appears to be identical in its properties to that produced by infection and vaccination of monkeys and human beings. The origin of the natural antibody is uncertain but it may be the result of unrecognized infection, antigenic stimulation by common substances or haptens occurring in various bacteria and other substances or the product of normal growth. The prophylactic value of this antibody in normal and immune sera for human beings is uncertain but probably slight and of short duration due in part to inadequate dosage. There is no irrefutable statistical proof of the efficacy of the antibody in the treatment of poliomyelitis of human beings nor any absolute proof of its complete ineffectiveness. It is possible and probable, however, that large amounts administered early in the disease may effectually prevent progressive infection of the spinal cord by the neutralization of virus. The antibody, however, has demonstrated some protective activity in monkeys inoculated intracerebrally with virus and especially when administered in large amounts per body weight early in the incubation period. The immunity produced in monkeys and human beings by infection or immunization with living virus (active, glycerinated and ricinoleated) appears to be largely cellular (tissue) but may be partly humoral due to antibody. Over 90 per cent of monkeys immunized with living virus by various investigators showed the presence of antibody in the blood on the basis of serum neutralization tests. Practically 100 per cent injected subcutaneously or intracutaneously with 5 doses of ricinoleated virus in amounts of 0.1 to 0.5 cc. per kilogram showed the presence of the antibody in the blood. In our laboratory the majority of these monkeys were completely protected against the intracerebral injection of virulent virus and we believe that the resistance, while probably largely cellular, may be due in part at least to the antibody in the blood.
Lipids and Immunological Reactions
Authors: Horsfall Frank L. , Goodner Kenneth
Published: January 2023

Additional and conclusive evidence has been reported to substantiate the hypothesis that the extraction of lipids from antipneumococal sera, even though causing a loss of agglutinating and precipitating properties, in no way laters the primary and fundamental capacity of antigen and antibody to unite. Immunologic agglutination and precipitation are therefore entirely secondary phenomena and are probably dependent upon the presence of certain phosphatides, free or combined as secondary components of the antibody-complex. With respect to the nature of the lipid essential to these secondary reactions, type I antipneumococcal sera from 10 animal species fall sharply into two groups. Horse-antiserum is the prototype of the first class, the essential lipid being lecithin. The type-example of the second group is the antiserum of the rabbit, in which cephalin is required. The sera of the first class fail to give complement-fixation with pneumococcal polysaccharide, while those of the second give positive reactions. The free pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide is antigenic in the animals of the first class, while no antibody-response is obtained in animals of the second. The possible rôle of the essential lipids has been discussed.
The Reaction Between Diphtheric Toxin and Formaldehyde
Authors: Follensby Edna M. , Hooker Sanford B. , Tayian Elizabeth H.
Published: January 2023

Four hypotheses have been related to the production of toxoid by the action of formaldehyde upon diphtheric toxin: (a) the toxin contains an amino-group or groups with which formaldehyde reacts; (b) the reaction is a (partial) hydrolysis in which formaldehyde acts as a catalyst; (c) combined and not free formaldehyde converts toxin into toxoid; (d) formaldehyde causes a reaction of condensation in which 2 or more molecules of toxin unite to form an atoxic compound.

Barikin, Kulikow, Minerwin, and Kljuchin (2) used several aldehydes, and stated that the smaller the molecular weight of the aldehyde the more quickly the toxicity disappeared and the firmer the union of aldehyde and amino-groups became. Kissin and Bronstein (15) found that only a part of the amino-nitrogen in toxin disappeared during the toxoiding process, and concluded that only the NH2-groups responsible for toxicity reacted with formaldehyde.
A New Antigen and Its Use in the Serodiagnosis of Syphilis
Authors: Wadsworth Augustus , Brown Rachel
Published: January 2023

A method has been given for the preliminary treatment of beef-heart tissue in order to prepare a highly sensitive antigen for precipitative tests by simple alcoholic extraction. The technic for adjusting the sensitivity of the extract by cholesterolization and dilution, and also the procedure for performing a one-tube precipitation-test are described. The results of this test are compared with those of a highly sensitive complement-fixation test.

The adaptation of such an antigen for a precipitative test of reliable diagnostic significance is under investigation.

In conclusion, we wish to express our appreciation of the criticisms and suggestions we have received throughout the work from Dr. Ruth Gilbert and Mrs. Elizabeth Maltaner.
Diphtheria Toxin-Production on Broths Made from Dried Complete Media
Authors: Bunney William Edward , Thomas Leona E.
Published: January 2023

The report of Marbe and Olariu showing that a good yield of toxin could be obtained on a medium containing only Proteose-Peptone, Bacto-Peptone, maltose, dextrose and sodium acetate has been confirmed.

A study has been made of the suitability of other peptones for use in such a medium. Protone and proteose-peptone No. 2 have been found to yield good diphtheria toxin when substituted in the Marbe and Olariu formula. Neopeptone has been found to be very poor and tryptone and yeast-extract have been found to be worthless when used in the formula in the concentrations studied.

Of all the concentrations and combinations used, a 4 per cent solution of peptone composed of 1/3 proteose and 2/3 proteose-peptone No. 2 has been found to give the best and most consistent yields of toxin.

A complete dried medium is described, which when dissolved in cold water to a concentration of 5.8 per cent, dispensed in 700 ml. amounts in 2-gallon Blake bottles, autoclaved and inoculated gives a good yield of diphtheria toxin (20 to 26 Lf per milliliter) with the preparations and culture tried.
Inactivation of Tetanus Toxin by Crystalline Vitamin C (l-Ascorbic Acid)
Authors: Jungeblut Claus W.
Published: January 2023

Summary and Conclusions

Vitamin C, when added to tetanus toxin in vitro, brings about inactivation of the toxin. This inactivation is not due to an acid effect, since it occurs when the ascorbic acid has been adjusted to a pH at which the potency of the toxin is undiminished. The inactivation phenomenon does not follow the laws of multiple proportions. Its chemical basis is obscure. Vitamin C fails to confer complete protection against tetanus intoxication in vivo, under the conditions of our tests.
Concentration of Tetanic Antitoxin by Adsorption
Authors: von Klobusitzky D.
Published: January 2023

From 16 attempts to concentrate tetanic antitoxin by adsorption on commercial kaolin and subsequent elution, the following statements may be made.

The potency of tetanic antitoxin was not altered after storage at room temperature for an 8-day period at hydrogen ion concentrations varying from pH 3.8 to 9.4. Adsorption by kaolin at pH 3.8 proceeded regularly and the antitoxic potency of the serum was reduced by about 80 per cent. Adsorption was not selective; all of the proteins were adsorbed at the same time. The antitoxin could be separated from the other proteins by the Fodor method at pH 9.3–9.4. This separation, however, did not proceed regularly, and the yields were very variable. In the most successful experiment the percentage yield of antitoxin was 56, and the increase in antitoxic potency was 114 times as calculated on the basis of nitrogen determinations. For the present, at least, methods of adsorption and elution are not suited to the commercial concentration of tetanic antitoxin.
Photodynamic Action of Methylene Blue on Antipneumococcal Serum
Authors: Ross Victor
Published: January 2023

The capacity to agglutinate pneumococci, to precipitate soluble specific substance, and to protect mice possessed by antipneumococcal horse serum was inhibited by the addition of methylene blue and exposure to the light of the Pointolite lamp. Agglutination and precipitation by rabbit antipneumococcal serum were also inhibited by such treatment. The native protective power of the serum of a human being against types 1, 2, and 3 pneumococci was destroyed in a similar manner. The capacity of this sample of serum (which belonged to blood group O) to clump red blood-cells of groups A and B was lost after photodynamic treatment.

Dilution of the antiserum with saline solution before exposure increased the proportion of antibody which was inactivated. The other changes studied also became proportionately more pronounced. However, when dilution was made with normal serum, the proportion of antibody which was inactivated remained approximately unchanged, thus suggesting that the reaction involving the change in antibody is a first order one, although it is not necessarily monomolecular.

Following treatment of the antipneumococcal serum from the horse with dye and light, precipitation with rabbit antihorse serum and the cutaneous reaction in sensitized rabbits were reduced. A few experiments with sensitized guinea pigs indicated a reduction in the “shocking” power of the treated serum.

An increased solubility of water-insoluble proteins of the serum followed treatment.

The active rays were absorbed by the solution of the dye.

Oxygen was considered indispensable to the reaction because destruction of antibody and other changes failed to take place in the absence of air. In the presence of an atmosphere of carbon dioxide or nitrogen the changes also failed to occur.

Certain similarities and differences between the action of ultraviolet light and photodynamic action are discussed.
Further Studies on the “Nonabsorbable” Protective Property in Serum from Rats Infected with Cysticercus Crassicollis
Authors: Campbell Dan H.
Published: January 2023

Experiments described in a previous report (1) indicated that the serum of rats infected with C. crassicollis contained two types of functional antibodies. The first type, detectable within one week both in infected and in artificially immunized animals, brought about the destruction of larvae before encystment and was referred to as “early” immunity. The second type, detectable only after several weeks of infection, and not at all in artificially immunized animals, was responsible for a marked increase in the destruction of larvae after encystment and was referred to as “late” immunity. Since the nonabsorbable protective property, as well as the late immunity reaction, was found (2) to appear only in infected animals several weeks after infection, some relationship between these two reactions was suggested. Under the previously prescribed experimental conditions no measure of the late immunity was obtainable because the methods which were used, produced complete early immunity, i.e., no parasites were present.
The Nonspecific Nature of the Carbohydrate Portion of Horse Pseudoglobulin
Authors: Coghill Robert D. , Creighton Martha
Published: January 2023

When recrystallized preparations of pepsin, trypsin, and chymotrypsin are allowed to act on horse pseudoglobulin, the loss of specificity of the protein closely parallels destruction of protein both being completely effected by pepsin.

The polysaccharide present to the extent of 3.7 per cent in horse globulin, whether prepared by the method of Rimington, using baryta, or by a method which would preserve any acetyl groups originally present, gives neither specific precipitative nor inhibitive reactions with homologous antiserum.

It is concluded that the polysaccharide of horse globulin has no specificity in the sense that the pneumoccoccal polysaccharides have, the specificity of the globulin being a property of the molecule as a whole.
Pneumococcal Capsular Polysaccharide in Urine; Detection by Precipitation and Centrifugation
Authors: de Gara Paul F. , Bukantz Samuel C. , Bullowa Jesse G. M.
Published: January 2023

Summary and Conclusions

The minimal amount of specific soluble substance detectable after its addition to normal urine, and the optimal amount of rabbit antibody required for detection, was investigated for pneumococcal types I, II, III, IV, V, VII, VIII, and XIV. The minimal concentration detectable for I, III, IV, and XIV was 1:200,000 and for II, V, VII, and VIII, 1:400,000. The optimal antibody unitage required varied from 125 to 500 units per cubic centimeter. Concentration of urine containing specific soluble substance yielded roughly equal increases in the concentration of specific soluble substance. The precipitative reaction in urine has been successfully employed to identify the infecting type of pneumococcus in patients whose sputa yielded several types. Pooled rabbit sera, as used in Neufeld typing methods, were successfully employed for the detection of capsular polysaccharide in urine. Centrifugation at 2,000 r.p.m. for 30 minutes, immediately after mixture of urine and antiserum, yielded positive reactions in the full expected range. These reactions are generally more evident than are the reactions obtained after 20 hours by the usual procedure of incubation at 37° for 2 hours and refrigeration overnight.

Upon the basis of these experiences we propose the following procedure for the routine detection of urinary polysaccharide, for the 8 types studied (table 5).
Experiments on Histamine-Refractoriness
Authors: Farmer Laurence
Published: January 2023

The uterine strips of normal guinea pigs that had received histamine by mouth were less sensitive to histamine than were the uterine strips of the untreated controls. The uterine strips of serum-sensitized guinea pigs that had received histamine by mouth at the height of sensitization were less sensitive to the specific antigen than were the sensitized uterine strips of the control animals. These experiments demonstrate (a) that histamine-refractoriness can be induced in normal guinea pigs through oral application of histamine; (b) that it is possible to “desensitize” sensitized guinea pigs non-specifically through oral application of histamine. The observations recorded under 3(b) confirm the conclusion previously (1) arrived at that “histamine is the substance responsible for the anaphylactic contraction of plain muscle.”
Equine Encephalomyelitis in Monkeys
Authors: Wyckoff Ralph W. G. , Tesar Walter C.
Published: January 2023

Most young rhesus monkeys are susceptible to the nasally instilled viruses of Eastern and Western encephalomyelitis. Recovery was never observed in young animals after nervous symptoms had appeared but an occasional animal had a symptomless infection resulting in a high concentration of circulating antibodies.

Young monkeys have succumbed to the intralingual injection of virus of Eastern encephalomyelitis. In a few trials no encephalomyelitis was produced by the intravenous or subcutaneous inoculation of massive doses of either Eastern or Western virus. Such inoculated monkeys, however, developed circulating antibodies after about two weeks. The concentration of these antibodies has been greater after intravenous than after subcutaneous injection; it has remained high for months at least. Dropping virus into the eye has not resulted in either disease or appreciable production of antibodies. Two monkeys have been fed virus by stomach tube without subsequently becoming paralyzed and within our experience no healthy animal has contracted disease after being caged with the sick and dying.

Hyperimmune horse serum, given at the time of first symptoms (fever), or later, has been without beneficial influence upon the course of either Eastern or Western disease. Injected before exposure it has provided a strong passive protection against infection from nasally instilled virus. Approximately half the animals given serum within a day after infection with virus have failed to develop disease but none of these survivors has been protected from a second exposure several weeks later.

Vaccination with formalinized chicken embryo-vaccine has in most instances protected monkeys from subsequent infection with nasally instilled virus. The antibody-response to Eastern vaccine is readily studied. The titer resulting from vaccination depends on the animal; it reaches its maximum within two weeks after injection and is not enhanced by subsequent intranasal exposure to virus. Though nearly all the immune animals have developed a rich supply of antibodies a few monkeys have succumbed to virus in spite of their antibodies. Multiple vaccination is desirable but a single vaccination will protect against Eastern virus given intranasally after a month. This result has been obtained with the crude commercial vaccines and with vaccines after clarification or deformalinization.
Quantitative Studies on the Infectivity of the Virus of Herpes Simplex for the Chorioallantoic Membrane of the Chick Embryo, Together with Observations on the Inactivation of the Virus by Its Specific Antiserum
Authors: Shaffer Morris F. , Enders John F.
Published: January 2023

A strain of herpes simplex virus readily produced macroscopic foci of lesion on the chorio-allantois of developing chick embryos when infective rabbit or mouse brain material was inoculated into fertile eggs of the proper age. In one series of transfers, initiated with rabbit brain virus, 42 egg to egg passages were obtained with foci in each. The gross and microscopic development of the lesions are described. By inoculation of a series of membranes with equal amounts of suitable dilutions of egg-membrane virus and determination of the averages of the counts of the individual membrane-foci for each dilution, it was possible to titrate the quantity of virus present. It was found that for this strain the inoculation of an amount of virus sufficient to produce one or a very few foci on the chorioallantois would also initiate fatal herpetic encephalitis in mice after intracerebral inoculation. The rate of increase of the virus in the chorio-allantois following inoculation into 12-day eggs was examined. During the first two days of infection the concentration of virus rose markedly, then increased more slowly to reach a maximum between the end of the third and fourth days; after which the concentration diminished, at first abruptly then more gradually. Egg-membrane virus was found to maintain infectivity better when frozen at −10°C. than when placed in 50 per cent glycerol-Tyrode's solution at 4°C. Suspensions of egg-membrane virus in Tyrode's solution retained their infectivity for at least two weeks at 4°C. For three samples of hyperimmune rabbit sera examined, it was determined that small amounts of antiserum could neutralize several thousand focus-initiating virus-units. Similar values for these sera were obtained by the parallel inoculation of mixtures of the same antiserum + virus intracerebrally into mice. Neutralization was equally effective whether the mixtures were injected immediately or ten minutes after preparation or were held for an hour at 25°C. before testing. Attempts to demonstrate reactivation by dilution of inactive mixtures were unsuccessful. In experiments designed to learn the rate of fixation of the virus to cells of the chorio-allantois it was found that within 5 minutes of contact, from 4 to 8 per cent of the viral inoculum might be fixed and produce lesions on the chorio-allantois despite the later presence of antiserum. By six hours as much as 50 per cent of the virus was fixed while by 18 hours all of the virus was so situated as to be insusceptible to subsequent antibody administration. Immune serum reaching the chorio-allantois 5 minutes previous to or simultaneously with the virus, effectively prevented the formation of any lesions.
The Detectability of Pneumococcal Capsular Polysaccharide and Antibody in Blood, Broth and Saline Solution (Optimal Concentration of Antigen and Antibody)
Authors: Bukantz Samuel Charles , de Gara Paul F.
Published: January 2023

The “optimal” concentrations of antibody (in mouse-protective units) required for the detection of capsular polysaccharide in blood, broth, and saline solution showed only slight variation among the types I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, and XIV, and the “optimal” concentrations of specific soluble substance required for the detection of antibody were practically identical for these types. The minimal concentrations of SSS detectable in the different media as well as the minimal concentrations of precipitins detectable varied only slightly. The significance of these observations for the immunological study of pneumococcal pneumonia patients is discussed.
Complement Fixation in Human Malaria
Authors: Stratman-Thomas Warren K. , Dulaney Anna Dean
Published: January 2023

Summary and Conclusions

Analyses of our data show that the complement-fixation test in malaria is very closely correlated with the presence or recent presence of malarial parasites in the peripheral blood. In sera from individuals known to be infected with malaria a strongly positive complement-fixation test means the presence or recent presence of malarial parasites in the peripheral blood. A negative complement-fixation does not rule out the presence of malarial parasites. From the standpoint of diagnosis the complement-fixation test in malaria would appear to be especially valuable in infection with Plasmodium falciparum wherein malarial parasites appear in the peripheral blood only on alternate days during the acute clinical attack.

All the analyses tend to show that the standardized antigen used in our second series of complement-fixation tests is more sensitive than the antigens prepared after the methods of other workers.

Positive complement-fixation is more closely correlated with the presence or recent presence of malarial parasites in the peripheral blood than with the presence of chills or fever. In the individual patient the test tends, as a rule, to become more strongly positive as the number of parasites increase in the blood. As the parasites disappear, the antibody-titer of the serum decreases. In the second series of 18 cases of induced malaria, 17 showed, at one time or another during the course of the disease, strongly positive complement-fixation, and no strongly positive reaction was obtained in patients without malaria.

We wish to thank Dr. F. L. Roberts, Professor of Preventive Medicine at the University of Tennessee, for his kindness in making a statistical analysis of these data. All this work was under a cooperative grant from the Tennessee Valley Authority, The Tennessee State Department of Public Health, the University of Tennessee and the Commissioners of Shelby County.
The Relationship between Neutralizing Antibodies against Influenza A Virus in the Sera of Mothers and Infants
Authors: Rickard Elsmere R. , Horsfall Frank L.
Published: January 2023

Quantitative neutralization-tests with influenza A virus and the serum of mothers and their infants at varying periods after birth have been carried out. During the first 2 months of life infants possess antibody levels almost identical with those of their mothers. During the 3rd and 4th month antibody levels rapidly decrease in infant serum, and from the 4th to the 16th month almost no infants possess demonstrable concentrations of antibodies against this virus.
Immunological Studies of Pollinosis
Authors: Loveless Mary Hewitt
Published: January 2023

In 1937 Cooke, Loveless and Stull (1) reported that normal individuals respond to pollen-inoculations by forming immune antibody.

This antibody can inhibit the urticarial response of sensitized skin to pollen by interfering with the pollen-reagin reaction. (In the absence of immune antibody, skin inoculated with reagin-bearing serum from a hay-fever patient promptly develops erythema and a wheal when pollen-antigen is introduced.) Subsequent studies (2) showed that the cutaneous response fails to occur in the presence of immune serum because pollen is bound and inactivated by the immune antibody. This antibody was found to differ from reagin not only in its greater avidity for pollen-antigen and in its ability to unite with antigen without irritating surrounding tissue, but also in its rapid disappearance from skin into which it had been injected and in its capacity to resist temperatures that inactivate reagin.
Studies on the Mechanism of Species-Specific Immunity against Pneumococcal Infection
Authors: Street Julia A.
Published: January 2023

There is demonstrable in rabbits an active, non-type-specific immunity against intrapleural infection with a highly virulent strain of Pneumococcus Type 1. This immunity may be produced by prolonged immunization with rough Pneumococcus Type 2. This non-type-specific immunity could not be passively transferred to normal rabbits. However, the immunity could be passively transferred by serum to other rabbits if the site of infection (pleural cavity) were already the site of a 72-hour aleuronat-starch inflammation. This active immunity seems to depend on the ability of the tissues of the immunized animal to dispose of the injected organisms promptly. While neither blood nor serum from actively immunized animals would kill virulent pneumococci, the pleural exudate from rough Pneumococcus 2 immune rabbits was markedly bactericidal for virulent Type 1 pneumococcus. Exudate from animals immunized with virulent Type 1 organisms was not bactericidal to a significantly larger degree. Normal exudate was not bactericidal. Minced splenic tissue from animals immunized with rough Pneumococcus Type 2 was bactericidal for large numbers of virulent Type 1 pneumococci. Normal splenic tissue was only feebly bactericidal. Cells obtained from immunized animals, when transferred to normal animals, would not protect against infection with Pneumococcus 1, whereas normal rabbit-cells, resuspended in supernate from the pleural exudate of Pneumococcus 2 (rough) immune animals produced a high degree of protection against Pneumococcus 1. Immune supernate, when passively transferred, did not protect. Pleural exudates from immunized animals showed a higher percentage of macrophages than did normal exudates. These macrophages were more highly phagocytic than the macrophages of normal exudate; however, this increased phagocytic power was non-specific. The antiserum produced by immunization with rough Type 2 pneumococcus had no opsonic effect on the highly virulent Pneumococcus Type 1 used for infection. The protective value of species-specific antiserum could not be related either to the “C” polysaccharide antibody or to heterophile antibody present in rough pneumococcal antiserum. The possible manner in which species-specific antibody exerts its protective power is discussed.
The Oral Immunization of Trout Against Bacterium Salmonicida
Authors: Duff D. C. B.
Published: January 2023

Prolonged feeding of a Bacterium salmonicida vaccine to groups of cutthroat trout, at temperatures varying between 2.2 C and 14.4 C, resulted in: (a) a mortality of the order of 25 per cent in vaccinated trout, compared to a mortality of the order of 75 per cent in untreated fish, when infection was attained by adding a suspension of the virulent organism to the tank water, at 19 C; (b) a marked increase, in the vaccinated groups, in the numbers of fish showing specific agglutinins, and a tendency in this group toward higher agglutinin-titres. A lesser increase in survival-numbers following the same treatment occurred where trout were infected by intramuscular inoculation.
Neutralization-Tests against Neurotropic Viruses with Sera Collected in Central Africa
Authors: Smithburn Kenneth C. , Jacobs Henry R.
Published: January 2023

One thousand four hundred and twenty-eight sera from as many residents of 63 localities in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, the Belgian Congo and Spanish Guinea have been studied with reference to their power to neutralize the West Nile virus. Some of the sera were also studied with reference to their capacity to neutralize the viruses of St. Louis and Japanese B encephalitis, both of which are related immunologically to West Nile virus. The results show that antibody against this group of viruses exists in the serum of residents of every country included in the survey except Spanish Guinea, for which the data are inadequate. The West Nile virus has apparently been active in the Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, and in the Congo. The St. Louis virus has apparently been active in Kenya and the Congo and possibly also in the Sudan. The Japanese B virus has apparently been active in the Sudan and the Congo. In several areas the incidence of humoral immunity to this group of viruses is compatible with recent epidemic activity, but in most of the areas there is evidence that more than 1 of the 3 viruses has been active. In the region where the West Nile virus was isolated in 1937, a survey carried out 2 years later showed that 16 per cent of the sera of residents contained neutralizing antibody, and so far as was determined this humoral immunity was entirely specific against the West Nile virus. The serum of 1 of 4 “blue monkeys” caught in the Kakamega forest in Kenya neutralized both West Nile and St. Louis viruses. The cross-neutralizing power of St. Louis antisera against West Nile virus and the capacity of Japanese B antisera to neutralize St. Louis and West Nile viruses at present seriously complicate immunological studies with the agents mentioned; but the same methods used for the differentiation of the viruses are applicable in determining the specificity of humoral antibody.
Additional Variants of the Rh Type Demonstrable with a Special Human Anti-Rh Serum
Authors: Wiener Alexander S. , Sonn Eve B.
Published: January 2023

A serum is described from the mother of an erythoblastotic baby, which in addition to the usual anti-Rh agglutinins contains a special agglutinin of high titer which agglutinated only about ⅓ of all bloods. The agglutinin in question proved to be a special type of anti-Rh agglutinin reacting with about ¾ of Rh2 bloods and only about ¼ of Rh1 bloods. The special agglutinogen detected by the serum is apparently inherited as a simple Mendelian dominant, presumably due to the action of a special allelic gene.
The Reaction of the Smooth Muscle of the Denervated Iris in Anaphylaxis
Authors: Bender M. B.
Published: January 2023

The parasympathetically denervated smooth muscle of iris contracts during in vivo anaphylaxis in the guinea-pig, rabbit, dog, cat and to some extent in the monkey. The extent of miosis varies with the intensity of generalized reaction. The pupil of the completely denervated iris also constricts in anaphylactoid reaction, which occurs in the cat and dog but not in rabbit or monkey. These findings show the independence of the smooth muscle action in anaphylaxis from the nervous system. The miotic effect is probably due to the liberation of a substance which is not histamine. Because the pupillary constriction is not blocked by atropine it is doubtful whether acetylcholine is a factor in the contraction of the parasympathetically denervated smooth muscle in anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reactions.
A Method for Increasing the Combining Power of Tetanal Toxin
Authors: Koerber Walter L. , Bunney William Edward , Mook Gertrude E.
Published: January 2023

The combining power of tetanal toxins, measured in L+, can be doubled by the presence of activated charcoal during the formation of the toxin in peptone-containing media. For the brands of charcoal used, approximately 0.2 per cent was found to be the optimal amount. A similar effect, but less pronounced, was found if paper pulp or cheesecloth were used in place of charcoal. In the toxoids tested, (toxoids which correspond to charcoal-toxins and controls prepared in the absence of charcoal) an increased antigenicity was found corresponding to the increase of combining power in the toxin. The use of activated charcoal has an additional advantage in that it simultaneously removes colored matter from the medium, so that corresponding alum precipitated toxoids are colorless in appearance.
A New Salmonella Type, Salmonella Claibornei
Authors: Wilcox Kingston S. , Lennox Elizabeth K.
Published: January 2023

A new Salmonella type has been isolated from a patient with an acute gastroenteritis. No reference has been found in the literature to an organism possessing the same antigenic structure. The organsim described is designated S. claibornei and has the antigenic formula I, IX, XII…; k; 1, 5….
The Effect of Tuberculous and Sensitized Sera and Serum Fractions on the Development of Tubercles in the Chorio-Allantoic Membrane of the Chick
Authors: Emmart Emily W. , Seibert Florence B.
Published: January 2023

Electrophoretic analyses were made of the amount of albumin, and alpha, beta, and gamma globulins present in tuberculous, “sensitized,” and normal rabbit sera. These whole sera were implanted simultaneously with tubercle bacilli of the A 27 strain on the chorio-allantoic membranes of eight-day-old chicks. The incidence of membranes developing tubercles was calculated and the size and development of the tubercles noted. Under the above experimental conditions, sera, either from rabbits sensitized with a purified tuberculin protein preparation or from tuberculous rabbits, possessed tuberculostatic activities in the chick membrane. Both types of sera had higher gamma globulin contents than sera from normal rabbits. Sera from sensitized rabbits implanted on the chick membrane the day before inoculation with tubercle bacilli also produced partial inhibition in the development of the tubercles in the chick membrane.
Differentiation of Typhus Strains by Slide-Agglutinative Tests
Authors: Castaneda M. Ruiz
Published: January 2023

A slide-agglutinative test is described which simplifies studies on the determination of the type of typhus infection. The antigens are rich suspensions of murine and classic rickettsiae prepared from the lungs of mice intranasally infected with either type of virus and are standardized in order to produce differentiation.
The Relationship Between the Virus of Infectious Ectromelia of Mice and Vaccinia Virus
Authors: Burnet F. M. , Boake W. C.
Published: January 2023

The virus of infectious ectromelia of mice gives rise to a haemagglutinin closely resembling that produced by vaccinia virus. Preparations of infected chorioallantois or mouse liver agglutinate fowl cells from a proportion of birds only, cells which are agglutinable by vaccinia preparations are agglutinable by ectromelia material, cells inagglutinable by one are also inagglutinable by the other. Neither virus acts on rat, rabbit, guinea pig, calf or human cells, but ectromelia virus preparations agglutinate mouse cells against which vaccinia preparations of equal or higher titre are inert. Ectromelia hemagglutinin is completely absorbable with “susceptible” fowl cells but not by “insusceptible” cells. The two types of cell produce equal small reductions in virus titre. This indicates that as is the case with vaccinia the virus itself is not the haemagglutinin. Sera produced by immunization of calves, rabbits, mice and men against one or other virus show specific inhibition of hemagglutination by both types of virus preparation, the titers being usually higher against the homologous type. Rabbits can be infected sometimes fatally by intravenous injection of ectromelia virus, survivors are solidly immune to intradermal infection with vaccinia virus. Mice inoculated intravenously with vaccinia virus develop antibody against both viruses and become resistant to at least 104 infective doses of ectromelia virus. These findings are discussed with reference to— The relationship of ectromelia virus to the mammalian pox viruses. The significance of hemagglutination as a possible index of species susceptibility to the viruses concerned, and a table of the types of virus hemagglutination so far described is presented.
Serologic Studies in Typhus-Vaccinated Individuals
Authors: Zarafonetis C. J. D. , Ecke R. S. , Yeomans A. , Murray E. S. , Synder J. C.
Published: January 2023

Summary and Conclusions

Weil-Felix tests and complement-fixation tests with purified rickettsial antigens were performed on sera from 31 cases of typhus fever in vaccinated individuals. The results indicate that these tests may be safely used to establish a laboratory diagnosis of typhus fever, providing the possible effects of vaccination per se are evaluated as well. A higher degree of cross-fixation was encountered in tests on the sera from these vaccinated patients than has been found in non-vaccinated cases of epidemic or murine typhus fever. Because of this cross-fixation, it does not appear safe at this time to attempt the differentiation between epidemic and murine typhus in vaccinated individuals on the basis of the complement-fixation test alone. An hypothesis has been advanced as a possible explanation for the increased amount of cross-fixation obtained in tests on sera from vaccinated individuals. Evidence is presented which indicates that infection with typhus can occur in vaccinated individuals despite the presence of demostrable complement-fixing antibodies in their serum.
Spectrophotometric Standardization of Complement for Fixation Tests
Authors: Mayer Manfred M. , Eaton Beatrice B. , Heidelberger Michael
Published: January 2023

Details are given of a spectrophotometric method for the standardization of complement in terms of the 50% hemolytic unit. The procedure eliminates uncertainties due to subjective factors and yields precise and reproducible determinations of complement activity.
Studies in Complement Fixation
Authors: Kent J. F. , Bukantz S. C. , Rein C. R. , Goodman Rebecca
Published: January 2023

Summary and Conclusions

The use of a spectrophotometer in determining the percentages of hemolysis obtained in the titration of complement is described. The mathematical treatment of the curve of hemolysis is reviewed, and a method described for the preparation of graphs with the aid of which the 50 per cent hemolytic unit of complement may be determined directly from the percentages of hemolysis observed in a given titration without constructing the curve of hemolysis. The accuracy of such determinations of the 50 per cent unit was calculated for 13 titrations by reference to the standard unit determined by the method of least squares. The mean percentage of error was found to be +0.018, with a standard deviation of 0.29.
On Increasing the Yield and Potency of Typhus Vaccine Prepared from Infected Yolk Sacs
Authors: Groupe Vincent , Nigg Clara , Macfarlane John O.
Published: January 2023

Increased yields of typhus vaccine per inoculated egg may be obtained by: Reducing the number of early non-specific embryo deaths through incubation of the inoculated eggs in the vertical position with the air-sac up.Utilizing the daily increment in weight of the yolk-sac in the course of embryonic development by inoculating eggs on the 7th instead of the 6th day of development and by delaying the peak of deaths through appropriate dilution of the inoculum.Harvesting the membranes from living embryos on the day when the peak of deaths occurs.

Increased potency, as indicated by complement-fixing activity of the vaccine, can be achieved by harvesting yolk-sacs only from embryos dead 1 day before and at the peak of deaths and from embryos still living when the peak of embryo deaths occurs.

The authors wish to acknowledge the technical assistance of Mr. Jack O. Davis throughout the course of these studies.
Allergenic and Anaphylactogenic Properties of Vaccines Prepared from Embryonic Tissues of Developing Chicks
Authors: Coulson E. J. , Stevens Henry
Published: January 2023

The anaphylactogenic properties of 5 typhus-yolk-sac vaccines and one equine encephalomyelitic entire-embryo vaccine were investigated by gross anaphylaxis in guinea-pigs and by the Schultz-Dale reactions on excised smooth muscles from sensitized animals.

The typhus-vaccines were shown to be capable of fatally sensitizing guinea-pigs with minimal doses ranging from 0.004 to 0.008 ml and containing 1.2 to 3.1 μg of protein-nitrogen. The equine encephalomyelitic vaccine sensitized in doses as low as 0.001 ml, containing 1.6 μg protein-nitrogen. The sensitizing capacities of these two types of vaccines, on a protein-nitrogen basis, were about one-half that of egg-white.

A suspension of purified, formalized rickettsial bodies was shown to contain some egg-protein but in much smaller concentration than in the typhus-vaccines.

Antibodies induced in uterine muscle by sensitization of guinea-pigs with either the yolk-sac vaccines or the entire-embryo vaccine were identified with those induced by antigens of fresh egg and principally with antigens of egg-white.

Precipitin-reactions indicated that about 12 per cent of the protein-nitrogen of typhus-vaccine and about 0.4 per cent of the protein-nitrogen of equine encephalomyelitic vaccine was attributable to crystallizable ovalbumin. It was concluded that antigens of egg-white, other than ovalbumin, and antigens of egg-yolk also contributed to the sensitizing properties of the vaccines.
Allergenic and Anaphylactogenic Properties of Vaccines Prepared from Embryonic Tissues of Developing Chicks
Authors: Stull Arthur
Published: January 2023

Typhus-yolk-sac vaccine-supernate (2–5) gave positive skin-reactions in high dilution on passively sensitized cutaneous sites prepared in normal test-subjects with sera from egg-sensitive individuals. The typhus-yolk-sac vaccine-sediment (2–5) also gave positive reactions, but of much lesser degree than the supernate (approximately 1/10th the reactivity). Whole typhus-yolk-sac vaccine (-7) gave reactions similar to those of typhus-yolk-sac vaccine-supernate (2–5). Comparative tests with the typhus-yolk-sac vaccine-supernate (2–5), normal yolk-sac, egg-white, and egg-yolk indicated that the vaccine supernate (2–5) contained at least 10 per cent of the reactivity of egg white, when compared on a protein-nitrogen basis. The normal yolk-sac reacted within the same range as egg-yolk and both were slightly less reactive than the vaccine-supernate (2–5). The highly purified rickettsial bodies diluted to 0.1 mg nitrogen/ml gave no skin,reactions in test-subjects sensitized with egg-sensitive sera. The reactions in such passively sensitized sites, showed that equine encephalomyelitic vaccine contained egg-yolk, yolk-sac as well as chick-embryo antigen, but very little egg-white antigen. Sensitivity was probably induced by injection of EE vaccine since the study of Nis serum showed that yolk-sac, egg-yolk, and probably chick-embryo were responsible antigens. There was no sensitivity to egg-white. Since EE vaccine, on first injection, may have induced sensitivity to egg-embryo antigens there may be potential danger of inducing sensitivity by the use of such immunizing agents. These results indicate that the injection of egg-sensitive individuals with typhus-vaccine similar to lot 2–5 might produce serious immediate systemic allergic reactions. The antibodies present in the serum of egg-sensitive individuals are not identical as shown by variations in neutralizing capacity of the different antigens. Qualitative differences in antibodies are present in the naturally sensitive man which are not apparent in artifical sensitization. Analogous differences have been previously noted, particularly in a study of ragweed- (23, 27) sensitive individuals.
Immunologic Studies in Rheumatic Fever
Authors: Taran Leo M. , Jablon James M. , Weyr Helen N.
Published: January 2023

The antistreptolysin-patterns of 460 rheumatic children were observed during various phases of rheumatic disease. Nine distinct patterns were observed and described. These patterns seem to bear no distinct relationship to the various phases of the rheumatic process. The “classical” antistreptolysin-pattern was observed in a small group of children who suffered a rheumatic recurrence associated with a streptococcal respiratory infection. In the light of our findings, this could be interpreted only as a modified curve in a rheumatic patient suffering a hemolytic streptococcal infection.
The Antigenic Relationships of Certain Viruses Capable of Producing Encephalitis in Mice
Authors: Hughes T. P. , Perlowagora Alina
Published: January 2023

Mouse brain antigens and hyperimmune mouse antiserum were prepared for each of 15 strains of encephalitogenic viruses. Each serum was tested against each antigen by means of the complement fixation reaction. It was shown that four virus strains recently isolated in Brazil have a common antigenic component and are antigenically related to the Anopheles B virus previously isolated in Colombia. The virus of Ilhéus encephalitis was found to be antigenically related to the West Nile-St. Louis-Japanese B group, and the antigenic interrelationship of the other viruses of this group has been confirmed. The virus of yellow fever appears to have a minor antigenic relationship to the Wyeomyia and Bwamba viruses. One newly isolated Brazilian strain is, on the basis of the tests employed, antigenically unrelated to any of the other viruses studied; likewise the Anopheles A virus is antigenically separate from all of the other strains examined, as is the Semliki forest virus.