Immunofluorescence studies were performed on selected plaques from two multiple sclerosis patients. Positive staining revealed the corresponding presence of immunoglobulin G and complement fraction C1q within the plaque areas. These components could be removed only after low pH washing. On the basis of these observations, we discuss the possibility of the presence of immunocomplexes within the multiple sclerosis brain.

No abstract

The effect of Padma 28 on spontaneous bactericidal activity (SBA) of blood serum was tested in 19 children suffering from recurrent infections of the respiratory tract (RIRT). SBA was tested against three bacterial strains; Salmonella typhimurium 568, and Escherichia coli strains 044 and 055. A considerable increase (bactericidal index <2) of SBA was noted in 12 children (63.1%). In four children (21%) the increase of SBA was less pronounced (bactericidal index >2). In three children (15.7%) no effect of Padma 28 on SBA of the serum was observed. Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Keywordsevaluate' the influence of Padma 58 on SBA -of the

In the studies of Germuth (1) dealing with serum sickness in the rabbit, the lesions of kidneys and other organs were observed to develop during the "immune" phase of antigen clearance from the blood and to regress after free antibody had appeared in the circulation. The pathogenic role of antigenantibody combination indicated by these temporal relations was further substantiated by the localizations of host gamma globulin (2, 3), presumably antibody, and antigen (3) at the lesion sites. Moreover, it has been shown that the lesions of serum sickness in normal rabbits can be produced by the passive transfer of antibody in the presence of antigen (4) and, more recently, that comparable lesions can be produced in normal mice by the passive transfer of soluble antigen-antibody complexes prepared in antigen excess (5, 6). In the latter experiments severe acute glomerulonephritis was observed in mice within 36 hours after the first injection of soluble immune complex. These observations, together with our experience in the preparation and the use of fluorescent immune complexes (7,8), prompted us to study the localizations of heterologous immune complexes in the tissues of mice. Materials and MethodsAntigens.--Bovine serum albumin (BSA), crystallized, and hen ovaibumin (OA), 5 times crystallized, were obtained from Pentex Inc., Kankakee, Illinois.Antiserums.--These were produced in New Zealand brown rabbits against BSA and OA.Each rabbit received an initial intramuscular injection of 10 mg of antigen incorporated in complete Freund's adjuvant (Difco Laboratories) followed by a similar injection I week later. 3 weeks after the second injection test bleedings were made. If the serum gave a strong precipitin reaction in agar gel with antigen at a concentration of 1 mg per ml, the rabbit was e~mnguinated. Weak reactors were given a booster injection of antigen and retested. Serums