HLA typing and seropositivity in Finnish and in Polish patients with rheumatoid arthritis and amyloidosis.

We determined HLA-A, -B, -C and -DR antigens in 83 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and reactive secondary amyloidosis (RSA), 60 in Finland and 23 in Poland, and compared the results with control RA patients and blood donors. There were no significant differences in the frequencies of HLA between the RA patients with and those without RSA in either Finland or Poland, and no significant differences between the Finnish and Polish patients with RSA. All the RSA patients from Finland and 70% of the RSA patients from Poland were seropositive.

A trial of cyclophosphamide in ankylosing spondylitis with involvement of peripheral joints and high disease activity.

In 12 patients with ankylosing spondylitis with involvement of the peripheral joints and high activity of the disease process, cyclophosphamide was given in intravenous doses of 200 mg every second day for 3 weeks, followed by oral doses of 100 mg once weekly for 3 months to a total dose of 3 300 mg. Before this treatment and after 18-24 months the following clinical parameters were determined: spinal mobility, degree of intensity of spinal and articular pains, and the number of involved joints. After the treatment an evident clinical improvement was observed, with decreased values of the laboratory indices of the disease activity.

[Study of anti-Rh(D) immunoglobulin for the presence of antibodies with different properties].

Investigations of 24 series of anti-Rh(D) immunoglobulins showed presence of arythrocyte antibodies with properties: anti--A (8) and anti--B (9) reacting only in antiglobulin test and anti-C (23), anti-E (16) and anti-s (2). In 8 preparations antibodies of HLA system were found with reactions of lymphocytes. In 2 series antibodies of HLA system were found with reactions of lymphocytes.

[Attempt at evaluating the HL-A system relationship with Rh-D antigen-stimulalated immunological response].

In 96 subjects immunized artificially with antigen D HLA system antigens were determined. In 21 cases antibodies were not produced, in 70 good response to antigen D was observed, in 5 cases antibodies were produced with considerable delay. The method of two-step lymphocytotoxicity test of Terasaki was used.

[HL-A antigens in patients with Hodgkin's disease].

HL-A antigens were determined in 46 patients with Hodgkin's disease and a statistical analysis was carried out by the chi square test to compare the incidence of these antigens in patients with that in healthy people. Statistically significant differences were found in the first place in the HL-A5 antigen (chi square = = 32.2) (p less than 0.

[Effect of HL-A system antigen differences on the specificity of produced anti-leukocyte antibodies].

In Rh-negative volunteers immunized for development of anti-D antibodies the specificity of developed anti-leucocyte antibodies was determined. The specificity of these antibodies was analysed in relation to HL-A antigenic differences determined in donors and recipients. The antigenic power of sublocus II was found to be superior to that of sublocus I.

[Immunization in the range of HL-A antigen system in volunteers immunized with small doses of blood incompatible in the Rh system].

Thirty-six healthy men Rh-negative were immunized with whole Rh-positive blood for production of anti-D antibodies were observed for development of anti-leucocyte antibodies determined by incidental incompatibility in HL-A antigens. Small doses of blood containing 25-35 X 10(6) white blood cells were found to be sufficient for production of weak anti-leucocyte antibodies in 91.7% of immunized subjects.