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The post-embedding localization of DNA was investigated in cell nuclei by means of DNase I-gold and autoimmune sera-protein A-gold techniques. Using the former technique, gold particles were found mainly over euchromatin, nucleoli exhibit occasionally high labeling. In the latter technique, the use of the serum binding dsDNA confined the label mainly to condensed chromatin.

A group of 222 patients suffering from cellular immunodeficiency (CID), frequently combined with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and/or chronic viral infections by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and/or cytomegalovirus (CMV), were immunologically investigated and treated with transfer factor (TF). The age range was 17-77 years. In order to elucidate the influence of aging on the course of the disease and on treatment, 3 subgroups were formed: 17-43 years, 44-53 years, and 54-77 years. Six injections of Immodin (commercial preparation of TF by SEVAC, Prague) were given in the course of 8 weeks. When active viral infection was present, IgG injections and vitamins were added. Immunological investigation was performed before the start of therapy, and subsequently according to need, but not later than after 3 months. The percentages of failures to improve clinical status of patients were in the individual subgroups, respectively: 10.6%, 11.5% and 28.9%. The influence of increasing age on the percentage of failures to normalize low numbers of T cells was very evident: 10.6%, 21.2% and 59.6%. In individuals uneffected by therapy, persistent absolute lymphocyte numbers below 1,200 cells were found in 23.1%, 54.5% and 89.3% in the oldest group. Statistical analysis by Pearson's Chi-square test, and the test for linear trend proved that the differences among the individual age groups were significant. Neither sex, nor other factors seemed to influence the results. The results of this pilot study show that age substantially influences the failure rate of CID treatment using TF. In older people, it is easier to improve the clinical condition than CID: this may be related to the diminished number of lymphocytes, however, a placebo effect cannot be totally excluded.

SUMMARY Forty-five patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus were studied in respect of their serologically defined HLA antigens. HLA-B8 antigen was found in 37-8 % of patients as compared to 22% of controls. Individuals carrying the HLA-B8 antigen have a 2-15 times greater risk of developing systemic lupus erythematosus than those not carrying this antigen.

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