T lymphocytes obtained from pigs infected with a lethal dose of classical swine fever virus were analysed for phenotypic changes in the composition of T-cell subpopulations and for alterations in their immune responsiveness in vitro during the course of disease. Viral antigen detected in all subpopulations and the selective depletion of CD4 N CD8 N γ/δ T cells showed that peripheral blood T lymphocytes were affected in the terminal stage (14-19 days postinfection) of classical swine fever whereas no implications for T lymphocytes were obvious during the

The major glycoprotein (gp70) of simian sarcoma virus is present in “soluble” form in the medium of virus-producing suspension cultures. It could be isolated from the supernatant of such cultures in substantial amounts by an immuno-adsorbent technique. Some of its gel-electrophoretic and serological properties are described.

The beginning of ophthalmopathological activities at the University Eye Clinic Tübingen, Germany, can be dated back to the year 1868, as at this time the continuous counting of investigated, ophthalmological specimens was started. So the ophthalmopathological department in Tübingen will be 125 years old in 1993. In a review its history is described with particular regard to the first period and the change in the kind and frequence of diagnoses.

The structural proteins of simian sarcoma virus type 1 and its associated virus (SSV) were analysed; in general they were similar to the corresponding components of murine leukemia viruses (MuLV), i. e. glycoproteins of approximately 69.000 and 71.000 Daltons (gp69/71), pro­teins corresponding to p15(E) and p12(E) which were identified as envelope, and p31, p15, p12 and p10 proteins identified as internal components. As in MuLV, p12 stained reddish with Coomassie blue but a pl5(C) distinct from p15(E) was not clearly identified. Using antisera specific for individual components of MuLV cross-reactions were observed between the proteins pl5(E), pi2(E) and p31 of SSV and MuLV, and to a minor degree also between their respective major glycoproteins. An antiserum reacting strongly, specifically and almost exclusively with the envelope components of SSV gp69/71, p15 (E) and p12 (E) was prepared in a goat by inoculation of the animal’s own cells, previously transformed in vitro with SSV and grown in goat serum. Comparative studies with this antiserum in complement fixation and Ouchterlony tests confirmed the strong antigenic similarities between SSV and gibbon ape lymphoma virus but did not identify any interspecies reactivity.

The outcome of 100 consecutive penetrating keratoplasties was investigated. At present, inadequate surgical technique does not appear to be the major cause of graft failure; instead, immunologic reactions are largely responsible for graft failure. Taking corneal disease and the degree of vascularization as criteria, the prognosis was judged to be favourable in 38 of the 100 keratoplasties, less favorable in 56, and poor in six. In the first group, graft failure occurred only five times (about 13%), whereas in the second group graft reactions of variable degrees were found in about 64%. As expected, the group with a poor prognosis showed the poorest results. Postoperative follow-up over a long period of time and adequate local steroid therapy are necessary.