William L. Bradford

Mediterranean disease-thalassemia(Erythroblastic anemia of cooley)

Summary This disease is due to some racial, inherited defect which is responsiblefor the abnormalities of the hemopoictic tissues (of the order of pernicious anemia), the bone changes (of the order of acromegaly), and the pigment abnormalities (practically identical with hemochromatosis). This suggests a deficiency state which may be remediable when completely understood and gives adequate grounds for a variety of therapeutic tests. We record in detail the complete autopsy findings in three new cases of this disease and partial autopsy findings in two others. We believe the pigment deposits in these cases (simulating hemochromatosis) are as characteristic of this disease as are the recorded abnormalities of the hemopoietic system and bony skeleton. The anemia may be classified as microcytic and hypochromic. Macrocytosis and thinning of the cells occurred in two cases after splenectomy. In two cases (Cases 3 and 8) the total blood volume and the plasma volume were found to be normal, while the red cell volume was decreased. Wet preparations revealed marked fragmentation but no tendency to sickle. The following therapeutic measures, which we believe have been adequately tested, failed to modify the clinical picture: blood transfusions, plasma and cell extracts, primary or secondary anemia liver extracts, fetal liver extract, spleen extract, raw pancreas, adrenal cortex extract (cortin), estrogenic substance (progynon), vitamin B1 concentrate, iron, and copper.

Observations on the morphology of the erythrocytes in mediterranean disease—Thalassemia

Summary Hematocrit studies in six cases and cell diameter measurements ineight cases of Mediterranean anemia (type of Cooley) have been made. In all instances the evidence suggested an hypocythemic microcytic and hypochromic anemia. In two cases the combination of decreased cell volume and increasedmean cell diameter, along with decreased thickness of the cell, occurred after removal of the spleen. Distribution curves usually showed wide bases and increased coefficients of variation. The study of wet preparations confirmed the findings of Cooley and Lee that fragmentation of the erythrocytes is very marked. The phenomenon of sickling was not observed.

Therapeutic Effect of Streptomycin in Experimental Murine Pertussis.

Summary Streptomycin exerts a protective therapeutic effect on the course of experimental murine pertussis as indicated by a significant reduction in the mortality rate and the disappearance of the organisms from the lungs of the surviving mice.

Recovery from Salmonella (panama) meningitis in an infant treated with sulfapyridine

Summary A case of purulent meningitis due to Salmonella panama in an infant is reported. We believe it to be the first recognized instance of this organism as the causative agent in meningitis. The patient recovered from a second attack. Therapy consisted of repeated lumbar punctures, blood transfusions, and the administration of sulfapyridine.

The action of aureomycin, of Polymyxin B, and of streptomycin in experimental murine pertussis

Summary Aureomycin in concentration of from 25 to 50 μg per milliliter of solidmedium inhibited the growth of H. pertussis. Daily doses of 10 and 100 mg. per kilogram per day protected mice during the period of treatment, against 250 MLD of the organism instilled intranasally. The action appeared to be bacteriostatic rather than bactericidal, for deaths frequently occurred within ten days after cessation of therapy. Polymyxin B in concentrations of from 0.5 to 1.0 μg per milliliter of solidmedium inhibited the growth of H. pertussis. Daily doses of 1 mg. and of 10 mg. per kilogram of weight protected mice against the experimental disease. H. pertussis was found to be sensitive to streptomycin in concentrations offrom 0.4 to 1.2 μg per milliliter of solid medium, and protected mice against the experimental disease in therapeutic daily doses of from 50 to 100 mg. per kilogram of weight.

Toxicity of Washings from Hemophilus pertussis for Mice.

Summary A heat-labile substance, toxic for young mice has been obtained by washing suspensions of freshly isolated strains of Hemophilus pertussis with 0.85% NaCl solution. Both the lethal and the skin-reacting factors of the toxic substance can be neutralized by antitoxin but not by antibacterial rabbit sera.

The lysozyme content of blood.

Summary The lytic effect of serum, plasma, whole blood and of leucocytes upon a susceptible organism ( Micrococcus lysodeikticus ) has been studied. The lysozyme titer of serum in acute infections did not differ greatly from that in normal individuals. When comparative tests of plasma, whole blood, and leucocytes were made in a group of cases, plasma was found to be least active while leucocytes possessed the greatest activity. In certain acute infections and after artificial fever, the lytic power of the leucocytes was found to be increased. It was decreased after the crisis in pneumonia. In normal control subjects and in children during acute infections, the lysozyme content of the leucocytes seemed to be increased or decreased in direct relationship to the percentage of the polymorphonuclear cells.

Protective Value of Immune Rabbit Serum and Its Globulin Fraction Against Experimental Murine Infection with Hemophilus pertussis

Summary Immune rabbit serum, injected intraabdominally into mice, protects them against experimental infection produced by the intranasal inoculation of Hemophilus pertussis. By precipitation in 50% saturated sodium-sulfate solution (37°C), a globulin fraction was prepared which had essentially the same protective capacity and agglutinating titer as the original serum, but only one-third of its content of protein.

Effect of Sodium Chloride Concentration on Staphylococcal Agglutination.

Summary Optimal concentration of sodium chloride for quantitative evaluation of staphylococcal agglutinins was 1.3% to 1.7%. This applies to rabbit and human antisera. At this concentration, macroscopic technics are reliable and spontaneous agglutination is inhibited. The quality of the reaction is best at these concentrations for human antisera, while in rabbit antisera, it is best at concentrations of 3.2% sodium chloride. Concentrations below the optimal dissolves the antigen to such extent that macroscopic agglutination is definitely decreased.