The histocompatibility system and human disease.

The histocompatibility system and its associations with human diseases have been described. Although these associations remain unexplained, they represent an important step forward in the search for basic causes and mechanisms of diseases. Further studies may lead to better classifications of diseases and to an increased understanding of basic biologic processes, of etiologies of many important diseases, and of relationships between genetic and environmental susceptibility to disease.

Inactivation of tumor cell-associated feline oncornavirus for preparation of an infectious virus-free tumor cell immunogen.

Ultraviolet (UV) and thermal methods of inactivating the oncogenic potential of C-type particle-producing feline oncornavirus-induced tumor cells were developed. The techniques were evaluated by several parameters for their use in preparation of cellular immunogens. The UV inactivation dose required to reduce the number of focus-forming units per ml by 1 log10 for FL-74 lymphoblastoid cell-associated feline leukemia virus was 44,000 ergs/sq mm, and the thermal inactivation dose required to reduce the number of focus-forming units per ml by 1 log10 at 45 degrees was 16 min.

Acute myositis associated with influenza B infection.

An epidemic of acute myositis affecting children occurred in association with influenza B infections. The myositis followed the initial influenza-like episode, and almost exclusively involved the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. Patients improved without specific treatment and made a complete recovery in four to five days.

Experimental oncornavirus vaccines in the cat.

An experimental approach to the immunoprophylatic control of feline oncornavirus-mediated diseases has included induction of antivirus immunity and antibodies to the feline oncornavirus-associated membrane (tumor) antigens. A suitable model for exploring the effectiveness of killed oncornavirus vaccines in the cat has been provided by the use of feline sarcoma virus. Immunization of seven pregnant queens over a 6-week period with ultraviolet light-inactivated Gardner-Arnstein feline sarcoma virus resulted in significant protection among 12 kittens challenged with a tumor-forming Dose 90 at 7 days of age.

Influence of culture conditions of growth of FL-74 cells and feline oncornavirus cell membrane associated antigen production.

The FL-74 cell, a feline lymphoblastoid cell line derived from a tumor induced by leukemia virus, grows equally well in static suspension culture (plastic T-flask or silicone treated glass bottles) or in spinner culture. No growth was observed in unsiliconized glass bottles. Although feline leukemia virus production was nearly the same in FL-74 grown in each of the above types of vessel, the expression of the feline oncornavirus membrane associated antigen (FOCMA), as determined by membrane immunofluorescence, was more intense and more complete on cells grown in static suspension.

Feline oncornavirus-associated cell membrane antigen. V. Humoral immune response to virus and cell membrane antigens in cats inoculated with Gardner-Arnstein feline sarcoma virus.

Tumor growth responses in 5- to 6-week-old kittens inoculated with the Gardner-Arnstein strain of feline sarcoma virus exhibited three distinct pattern: 1) complete tumor regression or no detectable tumor growth in approximately one-third of 43 inoculated kittens, 2) rapid tumor progression which led to debilitation and death within 16.2 +/- 4.2 weeks following infection in an additional one-third, and 3) slow tumor growth or temporary regressions in the remaining third.

Determination of subgroup-specific feline oncornavirus-neutralizing antibody.

A microneutralization assay was developed for antibody-to-subgroup-specific feline oncornaviruses. This study combines the economic advantage of a microtiter system and the quantitative focus reduction method which permits contruction of multiplicity curves for determination of virus-neutralizing titers. A twofold increase in Synder-Theilen feline sarcoma virus (ST-FeSV) on feline embryo cells decreased by approximately twofold the titer of reference goat serum prepared against Kawakami-Theilen feline leukemia virus.

Benign rheumatoid nodules.

Fifteen asymptomatic children with benign rheumatoid nodules, followed up to 12 years, are described. Nodules are characterized by subcutaneous location with predilection for pretibial regions and scalp, occasional large size, spontaneous regression, and frequent recurrence. Granuloma annulare was present in two patients.

Feline oncornavirus-associated cell membrane antigen. II. Antibody titers in healthy cats from household and laboratory colony environments.

Antibody titers to the feline oncornavirusassociated cell membrane antigen (FOCMA) were determined for 447 healthy cats from laboratory colony and household environments. Only 2.7 percent of 221 cats from colony environments were antibody positive as compared to 50.

Immunodeficiency and autoimmunity.

The following aspects of autoimmunity and immunodeficiency will be discussed: 1) Autoantibodies and autoimmunity and their relationships to human disease and particularly to the rheumatic diseases. 2) Relationships between human immunodeficiency diseases and autoimmunity including: a) autoimmune disease in patients with immunodeficiency; b) arthritis in patients with immunodeficiency; c) lupus-like illness in carriers of chronic granulomatous disease; d) occurrence of autoantibodies and autoimmunity in relatives of patients with immunodeficiency. 3) Immunodeficiency as a basis for human rheumatic or autoimmune diseases.

Transformation potentials of the noninfectious (defective) component in pools of adenoviruses type 12 and simian adenovirus 7.

Pools of adenovirus 12 and simian adenovirus 7 were separated into four or five fractions by density gradient centrifugation in cesium chloride. Each fraction was analyzed for total in vitro infectivity units, total transformation activity, and for total virus particle (VP) content. Two major subpopulations were separated with mean densities of 1.

Arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease in children.

Arthritis occurred in 23 of 136 (17 per cent) children and teenagers with inflammatory bowel disease, in 18 of 86 (21 per cent) patients with ulcerative colitis, and 5 of 50 (10 per cent) with granulomatous bowel disease. Eighteen children had peripheral arthritis which characteristically affected only a few large joints and was of brief duration and benign outcome. Five boys had spondylitis which was progressive and inseparable clinically from ankylosing spondylitis.