Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to O Prokop.
The antibody-like activity of haptoglobin types hp 2-2 and hp 2-1 for streptococci having the T4 antigen is not reduced by saturation with hemoglobin.
In systematic investigations we found a relationship between the haptoglobin types of human sera and the agglutinability of some group-G streptococcal strains. Sera with the haptoglobin type Hp 1-1 do not agglutinate these strains (or with low titres up to 1:16 only). On the other hand sera with the haptoglobin types Hp 2-1 or Hp 2-2 agglutinate the streptococci with titres from 1:200 to 1:3,200 (or more). The aspects resulting from these findings were discussed in detail. They may have among others practical consequences for the forensic medicine and the role of the haptoglobins must be thought over again.
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By testing 167 human sera a surprising dimorphism could be found. All sera of the haptoglobin type hp 1-1 belong to the group with an anti-G streptococci titer in the range of 1:0 to 1:10 whereas sera of the types hp 2-1 and hp 2-2 do have titers in the range between 1:200 and 1:3200 or more. All tests are carried out in the double blind technique.
Saliva of 310 persons were examined for their ability to agglutinate 33 streptococcal strains of the groups A-T. It was found that the saliva of persons with blood group O agglutinated significantly more often streptococci of strain G9 than the saliva of persons with blood group A (33.3%, and 18.75% resp., p less than 0.01). A statistical significant difference between persons of blood group B and O, or A and B did not exist. The agglutination reactions were caused probably by unspecific immunoglobulins because this strain G9 binds unspecifically human IgG. It is known, that some streptococcal strains of the groups A, B, C, D, and G contain receptors for the Fc-fragment of IgG and/or IgA. The results demonstrate that persons of the blood group O secrete more often immunoglobulin than those with blood group A.
A relationship was found between the haptoglobin types of human sera and the agglutinability of some strains of group G streptococci. Sera with the haptoglobin types Hp 2-2 and Hp 2-1 agglutinate these streptococci to high titers, from 1:200 up to more than 1:6400. On the other hand, the sera with haptoglobin type Hp 1-1 agglutinate not more than up to titers of 1:16 (mostly lower). Out of 102 strains of group G streptococci only 3 showed this characteristic phenomenon. This study was undertaken in order to elucidate whether the Hp 2-2 and Hp 2-1 proteins have antibody activity. Incubation of Hp 2-2 or Hp 2-1 sera with antihaptoglobin antisera or with anti-Hp 2-antiserum did not change the agglutinating activity but the haptoglobin was eliminated from the sera. Absorption of Hp 2-2 and Hp 2-1 sera with these group G streptococci lowered the titers significantly but the haptoglobins are detectable as in the non-absorbed sera. Sera with haptoglobin 1-1 contain an inhibitor. Mixing of Hp 2-2 and Hp 2-1 sera with high agglutinating titers with Hp 1-1 sera (low titers) was followed by a significant decrease of the titer.
The determinability of haptoglobin types is correlated with the titers of agglutination against streptococci carrying the T4 antigen. If the haptoglobin types in cord-sera cannot be determined (as a result of the physiological binding of haptoglobins) the agglutination reaction fails or the titers are greatly diminished. The dimorphism, which was found in sera of adults, can be demonstrated in cord sera, too, if they can be typed. It is concluded that the observed reaction between Hp 2-2 and Hp 2-1 sera with T4-streptococci is caused by the haptoglobin itself.
Some strains of beta-haemolytic streptococci were agglutinated with high titers (1:200-1:6400) by human sera of the haptoglobin types 2-2 and 2-1. No agglutination or with low titers (up to 1:20) was observed with sera of the haptoglobin type 1-1. This reactivity depends from the contents of Streptococcus pyogenes T-antigens of the T-complex 4,24... This T4-antigen is present in group A streptococci (Strep. pyogenes) of the types 4, 24, 26, 28, 29, 46, 48 and 60 but it may be present also in some strains of streptococcal groups C and G. During a 10-year period we isolated 12 strains of Strep. equisimilis (group C) carrying the T-4 antigen (1.6%) and 50 group-G streptococci with T-4 antigen (6.4%) of all group G streptococci). These strains were agglutinated without an exception with high titers by Hp 2-2 and Hp 2-1 sera but not by sera of the haptoglobin type 1-1. The same particuliarity was shown by Streptococcus pyogenes types of the T-complex 4, 24... One strain of type 26 (BC 179) has no T antigen and therefore it was not agglutinated in the above mentioned manner. The phenomenon depends from the medium; it occurs after cultivation of the streptococci in Pope broth or in meat-infusion with glucose but not or only reduced in beef heart-proteose-medium. The agglutination reaction is caused by the haptoglobin but not by agglutinins against the T4-antigens.
The relationship between haptoglobin type and the agglutinability of some group G streptococci, which was observed in humans, could also be demonstrated in animal sera. In humans the haptoglobin type Hp 1-1 is correlated with a lacking or very low agglutinability. Sera of 10 rhesus monkeys showed Hp-type 1-1 and agglutinated the streptococci only to dilutions of the serum up to 1:4. The sera of 48 pigs contained an Hp 1-1 like type and a streptococcus agglutination titer of max. 1:10. Seven ahaptoglobinaemic sera gave the same values. Fifty examined sera of rabbits showed also an Hp 1-1 like pattern and did not agglutinate or in undiluted state only.
Within a sample of 6107 non related subjects no dependency of the Gm-types from the Rh-phenotypes could be observed. These data as well as the results of linkage studies do not suggest the localisation of the Gm-loci on chromosome 1.
In crude preparations of bovine lung galactan blood group H-like activity, which does not occur on bovine red cells, has been detected with heterophile anti-H-like reagents from different origin. These H-like receptors, associated with pneumococcus type XIV cross-reactivity, belong to a glycoprotein fraction and not to the galactan itself.
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In a paper presented on the occasion of the 5th Congress of gynecology in the GDR the author discusses in details the phenomenon of modern occultism and quackery. Preferably he examines the so called parapsychology and declares that this is a field without any scientific value. Therefore the course of action of parapsychologists is not to be accepted without resolute reply.
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In regard to the undecided immunological role of protein polysaccharides (of the glycosaminoglycan type) for pathogenesis of connective tissue diseases a protein polysaccharide-containing extract from bovine nasal cartilage was tested by the absorption method, precipitation and immunization. An A-like effect of the extract was found.
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