A comparison of the unheated serum reagin and Venereal Disease Research Laboratory tests for the diagnosis of syphilis

The USR method for the diagnosis of syphlis has been investigated by comparing results obtained by this and the VDRL tests done simultaneously on 485 sera. Twenty-eight specimens were also compared with the FTA-Abs test. The USR method was found to be quick, accurate and economical. It is an excellent "stat" test for laboratories, and ideal for field work. (AU)

Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) antibody status in St. Thomas, Jamaica, 1975

In 1975, a survey was carried out on 360 persons in the eastern parish of St. Thomas, Jamaica, for antibodies to EEE. Twenty-three of these were found to have positive titres although they showed no clinical symptoms of the disease and gave no past history indicating possible central nervous system infection. While it is possible that nineteen of these persons, over 13 years of age, could have acquired antibodies in the 1962 epidemic, four subjects aged between 8 and 11 years could not. This finding is significant from the public health aspect and warrants further investigation in the possible transmission cycle. This survey was done at a time when there were no reports of an EEE outbreak among humans or equines (AU)

A study of macroglobulins in Jamaicans

A study has been made of macroglobulins in the sera of Jamaicans who attended the University Hospital of the West Indies during the years 1963 to 1965. Detailed chemical analyses have been made with a view of defining which macroglobulins were present. The introduction is devoted to a review of past literature on macroglobulins studied elsewhere and the purpose of the present study. This is followed by a detailed description of materials and methods, results obtained and the conclusion. The methods used fall into two categories:- (1) Screening test such as the Sia test, hydrophoresis, zinc sulphate turbidity, paper, cellulose acetate, starch gel electrophoresis and relative viscosity which indicate the presence of macroglobulins; (2) Specific tests such as ultracentrifugation and immunoelectrophoresis which yield detailed and significant facts relevant to the macroglobulin under study. Ultracentrifugation analysis of ten sera revealed:- (1) A case of Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia in which the S19 fraction constituted 38.6 of the total protein; (2) A case of secondary macroglobulinemia in liver cirrhosis in which the S19 fraction constituted 8.3 of the total protein; (3) Eight cases with a marked increase of teh 7S gamma globulin found in liver diseases, multiple myeloma. infections, skin diseases and neuropathy; (4) Six cases showing a typical macroglobulins found in Waldenstrom's macroblobulinemia, liver disease, multiple myeloma, collagen and skin diseases. Immunoelectrophoresis revealed:- (1) A marked increase of the IgM (B2M) level in Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, a significant increase in secondary or symptomatic macroglobulinemia associated with myeloid leukemia, collagen, liver, skin diseases and a slight increase in diabetes, lymphosarcoma, kidney and chronic chest diseases; (2) A marked increase of alpha2 macroglobulin in nephrotic syndrome and chronic nephritis. Slight increases were found in diabetes, skin diseases, multiple myeloma, lymphosarcoma and collagen diseases; (3) A marked increase of 7S gamma globulin in infections, liver and skin disease. Slight increases were found in myeloid leukemia, lymphosarcoma, innominate aneurysm with gangrene, multiple myeloma, collagen diseases and diabetes (AU)