Miriam Reiner

Effect of Cortisone and Adrenocorticotropin Therapy on Serum Proteins in Disseminated Lupus Erythematosus

Summary The electrophoretic distribution of the serum proteins of 20 patients with disseminated lupus erythematosus showed a lowered albumin content with a considerable increase in the α2- as well as γ-globulin concentration. The sera of 5 patients were studied before therapy with cortisone and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH). After a clinical remission had been produced by these agents, it was found that the albumin and γ-globulin components progressed towards normal levels whereas the α2-globulin fraction remained unchanged. Thanks are due to Dr. George Baehr and the members of the First Medical Service for their cooperation throughout this study. The technical help of Sheldon S. Gilbert and Harold Corey is acknowledged with appreciation.

Icteric Index in the Newborn

Summary 1. The icteric index determined by the water and acetone methods gave equal values in a series of 49 normal cord bloods and 50 normal new-born infants. 2. Hyperbilirubinemia was present in all but one of the cord bloods and 2 of the new-born infants. 3. All specimens gave a negative direct van den Bergh reaction even when the sera showed marked hyperbilirubinemia. 4. In several cases of congenital hemolytic icterus the same findings were present: the direct van den Bergh was negative and the icteric index gave the same values by both the water and acetone methods. 5. These methods may be used to differentiate hemolytic icterus from other types of icterus. The results support the hemolytic theory of icterus neonatorum.