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The occurrence in the rabbit of an acute phase protein analogous to human C-reactive protein has been confirmed. The acute phase protein of the rabbit reacts with a special form of the pneumococcal somatic polysaccharide, designated Cx polysaccharide, in the same manner that the human C-reactive protein reacts with the classical C polysaccharide. The method of preparation and some of the properties of the Cx polysaccharide are described. The rabbit Cx-reactive protein has been shown to be remarkably similar to human C-reactive protein in its general properties and in the conditions which govern its appearance in the blood. It has been obtained in crystalline form, and appears to be antigenically distinct from the proteins of normal rabbit serum.

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ContentsTo investigate the production of extragonadal progesterone and testosterone, Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone (ACTH) was administered to ovariectomized ewes and wethers. In the first trial each animal received 2 ml of sterile saline (0.9 %) iv. In the second trial, a week after the first, animals were given 30 IU of ACTH iv. Blood samples were taken by venipuncture from the jugular vein for 8 h. The sampling interval was 30min during the first 4 h and 60 min during the last 4 h. Treatments were applied after 2 h of sampling. Testosterone concentrations determined in the samples of the wethers in the ACTH trial were below the detection limit of the assay in all cases. Administration of the saline solution did not affect hormone levels in any of the sexes. Cortisol concentrations (mean k SD) were 26 k 17 and 25 13 nmoljl, in ewes and wethers, respectively, and the corresponding progesterone concentrations were 0.6 f 0.2 and 0.7 & 0.4 nmol/l. After ACTH administration concentrations of both hormones were elevated for 2-3 h. Cortisol concentrations (mean f SI)) were 219 k 68 and 276 k 90 nmol/l. in ewes and wethers, respectively. The progesterone concentrations for the ewes and wethers were 1.1 & 0.5 and 3.5 k 2.4nmoljl. These cortisol and progesterone levels differed significantly from pre-ACTH and saline-trial levels both in ewes and wethers. In wethers progesterone was highly dependent on cortisol production (R2 = 0.856; p = 0.0010). In ewes no such relation between cortisol and progesterone was evident (R2 = 0.323; p = 0.1413). InhaltEinfluA einer ACTH-Verabreichung auf extragonadalen Progesteronspiegel beim Schaf IJm die Produktion von extragonadalem Progesteron und Testosteron zu untersuchen, wurde ovarektomierten Schafen sowie kastrierten weiblichen Schafen Adrenokortikoides Hormon (ACTH) verabreicht. Im ersten Versuchsansatz wurde den Tieren 2 ml physiologische Kochsalzlosung i.v. verabreicht. Nach einer Woche erhielten sie im zweiten Versuchsansatz 30 I.E. ACTH intravenos. Blutproben wurden fur 8 Stunden aus der Jugularvene entnommen. Die Probenentnahme erfolgte in den ersten 4 Stunden im Abstand von 30 Minuten und fur die vier weiteren Stunden im Abstand von 60 Minuten. Die Behandlungen erfolgten 2 Stunden nach Beginn der Probennahme. In allen Fallen lag die Testosteronkonzetrationen nach ACTH-Behandlung bei allen kastrierten weiblichen Schafen unterhalb der Nachweisgrenze. Die Applikation von physiologischer Kochsalzlosung hatte in keinem Fall EinfluR auf die Hormonspiegel. Die Kortisolkonzentrationen (Mittelwert k SD) betrug 2 6 k 17 nmoljl bei ovarektomierten Schafen und 25 k 13 nmol/l bei kastriereten Tieren. Die entsprechenden Progesteronkonzentrationen betrugen 0,6 * 0,2 und 0,7 f 0,4 nmolil. Nach Gabe von ACTH stiegen die Konzentrationen beider Hormone innerhalb von 2-3 Stunden an und betrugen 21Y_fhX und 276k90 nmol/l bei den jeweiligen Tieren. Die Progesteronkonzentrationen betrug 1 ,I k 0,5 bzw. 3,5 k 2,4 nmol/l. Diese Kortisol-und Progesteronspiegel unterschieden sich signifikant von der Basi...

Summary Investigation of an influenza epidemic in a children's institution disclosed concurrent infection of the population with both influenza A virus and influenza B virus. Individuals of the population were found to have been infected with influenza A virus, with influenza B virus, or with both viruses. The availability of pre-epidemic sera from the entire population made it possible to determine the actual incidence of inapparent infection during an influenza outbreak; clinically inapparent infections occurred in 8% of the population. Collateral studies with hamsters established that a mammalian host may be simultaneously infected with influenza A and B viruses and develop antibodies against both viruses, although the degree of antibody response may be less than that resulting from infection with either virus alone.