John M. Adams

Measles antibodies in multiple sclerosis.

Summary Examination of the sera of patients with multiple sclerosis by neutralization and complement-fixation tests revealed slightly higher antibody titers to measles virus than control subjects. The cerebral spinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis showed measurable antibody titers to measles virus in over 75% of the cases tested, whereas control subjects have shown no evidence of antibodies. The finding of elevated measles antibodies in the serum and spinal fluid of patients with MS does not imply or indicate a direct relationship but warrants continuing investigation.

Immunological Relationship Between Measles and Distemper Viruses.

Summary In tissue culture studies, the Edmonston strain of measles virus was neutralized by distemper antiserum prepared in ferrets with the egg-adapted and mouse-adapted strains of distemper virus. All normal ferret sera failed to show any neutralization of measles virus. In animal studies, ferrets immunized with measles virus and subsequently challenged with virulent distemper virus showed some evidence of protection as revealed by prolonged incubation periods, modified illnesses and survivals. The mouse-adapted distemper virus was completely neutralized by measles antiserum prepared in ferrets, whereas, normal serum failed to show any neutralization. Mouse-adapted distemper virus was also neutralized by human measles convalescent sera. These results suggest that common antigenic components are shared by the viruses of measles and distemper.

Teratogenic Effects of Herpes Simplex, Vaccinia, Influenza - A (NWS), and Distemper Virus Infections on Early Chick Embryos.∗†:

Summary Herpes simplex, vaccinia and influenza-A (XWS) viruses produced teratogenic and lethal effects in the early chick embryo. The primary teratogenic effects of all 3 viruses were micrencephaly and axial flexion, but minor characteristic differences could be detected in embryos infected with each of these agents. Distemper virus failed to produce any gross embryologic changes, although its injection led to the development of ulcerative lesions on the C - A membrane and death of the embryo.

The Production of Large Single Crystals of Ice

A convenient method for locating the crystalline axes in ice, and therefore for determining the extent of any single crystal of ice in a block, has been developed. Single crystals of ice, satisfying this test, of dimensions limited only by the size of the apparatus, have been prepared.

Neutralization of Teratogenic and Lethal Effects of Influenza-A Virus in Chick Embryos.

Conclusions Specific immune serum will protect the 48-hour chick embryo from the teratogenic and lethal effects produced by in fection with influenza-A virus. Inasmuch as antiserum can neutralize these effects completely in vitro and to a lesser extent in ovo this study provides serological evidence to implicate the virus as the cause of the syndrome described.

Serum neutralization of distemper virus in chick embryos.

Summary Virus-neutralization tests were carried out in embryonated hens eggs employing the egg-adapted distemper virus and various samples of serum. Ferrets whose sera contained no demonstrable antibody at 1:40 dilution all succumbed to 100 MLD of ferret distemper virus, whereas ferrets showing antibody titer to 1:640 dilution of serum all survived the same challenge dose. The data presented demonstrate that the results of serum-neutralization tests in chick embryos have a definite correlation with ferret protection tests. Human gamma globulin and some samples of human serum have neutralizing substances in titers as high as those known to exist in immune ferret serum. On the other hand, samples of serum from normal premature infants did not show any neutralizing substances in 1:40 dilution of the serum.

Respiratory Viral Diseases: Diagnosis and Management in Practice

The identification of more than 100 viruses within, the last 10 years has made imperative an etiologic rather than anatomic approach to the diagnosis of the diseases caused by these organisms.The principal newer viral respiratory diseases are discussed from the viewpoint of describing the causative agents and the symptomatology of clinical entities involved, and indicating the diagnosis and preferred treatment.

PREVENTION OF TUBERCULOSIS AND REVERSAL OF TUBERCULIN REACTION IN GUINEA PIGS.

Summary Reversal of the tuberculin reaction occurred in 70% of animals treated with INH following development of a positive test. One year of INH treatment failed to sterilize the tissues in 15% of the animals. Evidence is presented that INH completely protected guinea pigs from tuberculosis when treatment was initiated prior to inoculation of a minimal dose. All non-treated controls developed visceral tuberculosis.

Erythema induratum and streptococcosis

An 8-year-old girl with erythema induratum confirmed by histologic studies is described. The patient had a positive tuberculin skin test and a high antistreptolysin O titer in the serum. She was treated solely with penicillin for 1 month with prompt regression and disappearance of the lesions. There was no recrudescense of the lesions 1 year later. The suggestion is made that the role of streptococci as a factor in the pathogenesis of erythema induratum should be investigated.

Experimental Poliomyelitis. Studies in Mice with Human Gamma Globulin.

Summary 1. The dosage of gamma globulin required to protect mice against poliomyelitis virus intracerebrally was several thousand times the amount which was effective for in vitro neutralization. 2. The prophylactic effect of gamma globulin was maximal with a dose of 4 ml/kg intraperitoneally when given 4 days before inoculation of virus intracerebrally; at 7 to 14 days protection had apparently disappeared.