[Results and experiences with several methods for the immunodiagnosis of amebiasis]. / Ergebnisse und Erfahrungen mit einigen Methoden zur Immundiagnostik der Amoebiasis.

Results and experiences of some immunodiagnostic methods for amebiasis. Experiences concerning the laboratory diagnosis of invasive amebiasis are described and discussed. Technics used include the Passive Hemagglutination Test with E. histolytica antigen (Behring FRG) and sheep erythrocytes as carrier and the Indirect Fluorescence Antibody Reaction (IFAR) with corpuscular antigen prepared from cultures of E. histolytica strain HK 9. Comparatively for a part infected hamster liver (Dr. Richle strain) has been used as antigen. We conclude that IFAR with HK 9 antigen is more sensitive than the other tests. It has been proved useful in the diagnosis of extraintestinal amebiasis (antibody titer greater than or equal to 1:160).

[Filariasis in foreign immigrants]. / Filariosen bei eingereisten Ausländern.

Among the patients of the Clinic for Infectious and Tropical Diseases of the County Hospital St. George Leipzig the frequency of the infestment with microfilaria in immigrated foreigners was established. Of 1925 examined patients 78 (4.1%) were infested with microfilaria. In 27 patients we succeeded in proving Wuchereria bancrofti and in 3 Brugia malayi, 43 showed Acanthocheilonema perstans, in 5 cases a double infection was present.

Systemic lupus erythematosus during penicillamine therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.

Six patients with rheumatoid arthritis developed a syndrome resembling lupus erythematosus while being treated with penicillamine. All patients had previous mucocutaneous reactions to chrysotherapy. Manifestations included pleurisy in five of six patients, rashes in three, nephritis in two, and neurologic disturbances in two; lupus erythematosus cells were found in five patients, antinuclear antibodies in all six, antideoxyribonucleic acid in three, positive Coombs' test results for three patients, and low C4 complement in five of the six. Symptoms were slow to resolve after penicillamine treatment was discontinued, and four of the patients needed corticosteroid therapy. A higher frequency than expected of HLA A 11 in three patients and B 15 in five patients was seen.