Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to D I Grove.
Serum IgE levels were measured by radioimmunoassay with a 'Phadesbas test kit' in 45 patients with multiple myeloma or macroglobulinaemia. As with other immunoglobulin classes, low serum levels of IgE were found.
Immunological function was investigated in 42 adult Papua New Guinea villagers and 38 adult males who had been inmates of the Goroka prison for more than three months. Serum IgG, IgA, IgM and IgE levels were all significantly elevated in both Papua New Guinea groups when compared to Australians. Antibody responses to tetanus toxoid immunization were greatly impaired in both Papua New Guinea (PNG) groups. The impairment was greater in the villagers. Antibody responses to immunization with typhoid vaccine were also impaired in both P.N.G. groups compared with Australians. Some evidence was obtained to indicate that unresponsiveness was associated with lower serum albumin levels, suggesting a relationship to protein deprivation. Antibody response after first immunization was predominantly in the IgM class for both tetanus and typhoid vaccines, with conversion to the IgG class on re-immunization. This indicates that most P.N.G. highlanders have not been exposed to these antigens previously. The prevalence of autoantibodies (mitochondrial, gastric parietal cell and antinuclear) was similar to that of a normal Australian population. The prevalence of smooth muscle antibodies, although higher, was probably not remarkable. Australia antigen was found in 9%, compared with less than half of 1% in the Australian population. Cellular immune function, as measured by delayed hypersensitivity reactions, was not impaired. The implications of these findings for mass immunization programmes are discussed.
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Humoral and cellular immunity have been investigated in 15 patients with dystrophia myotonica. No abnormalities in total serum levels of the five major immunoglobulin classes were found but there was a rise in the mean serum level of beta(1)A complement. Altogether, 54% of patients failed to make antibody to tetanus toxoid as compared with 1% of controls: 13% of patients failed to make antibody to Salmonella typhi H antigen as compared with no failure of this function in control subjects. There was a reduced uptake of tritiated thymidine by whole blood lymphocyte cultures spontaneously, while in the presence of phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and both autologous and fetal calf serum the uptake was normal. It is suggested that there may be a wider derangement of immunological function in dystrophia myotonica than previously thought.
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At least 250 million people throughout the world are infected with filariae, and the number of such persons is increasing. Three species infect humans: Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori. The peak of microfilarial density in the blood usually occurs nocturnally. Transmission of filariasis is remarkably inefficient. In an endemic area, approximately 100,000 mosquito bites yearly are required for production of each new case of microfilaremia. Only a small proportion of those infected suffer any ill effects from these worms. Clinical filariasis can present with acute inflammation such as lymphangitis and lymphadenitis and with chronic lymphatic obstruction such as hydrocele and lymphedema of the limbs. Measures available for potential control include the widespread usage of mosquito nets, vector control, and chemotherapy with diethylcarbamazine. Unfortunately, the efficacy of the first of these is untested and the latter two are inadequate. More research is required on vector control, assessment of new drugs, and the development of vaccines.
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