A total of 168 patients with different types of affective disorders were examined with respect to their HLA antigens. The frequency of the AlO antigen was found to be increased in the patients particularly in those with the unipolar type of disease. The frequency of the Al antigen was decreased among unipolar patients. A decreased frequency of the B7 antigen was found in the total material of patients, and in particular in those with a bipolar type of disease. Our results were in disagreement with findings by other investigators. So far there is no conclusive evidence for association between any HLA antigen and affective disorders.

Frequencies of HLA antigens, blood groups, serum groups and red cell enzyme types in patients with cycloid psychosis were compared with those in patients with bipolar psychosis and in normal controls. Patients with cycloid psychosis showed (1) an increased frequency of the Rh-negative type compared to controls, (2) an increased frequency of the K(+) phenotype compared to both bipolar patients and controls, and (3) an increased frequency of the serum group Gc 2–1.

HLA antigens were studied in 50 patients, 40 males, 10 females and two brothers of patients, all suffering from schizophrenic syndromes. The average duration of illness for the whole group was 18 ± 1.5 years. The frequency of A10 antigen was increased in the schizophrenic patients as compared with 449 healthy individuals. None of the findings concerning HLA and schizophrenia reported in the literature could be verified in the present study. The two ill brothers comprised in the study proved to have the same HLA phenotype as their respective ill sibling. So far there is no conclusive evidence for association between any HLA antigen and ‘schizophrenia’. Further investigations should be concerned with families and not with single patients.

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Plasma exchange was performed in 2 patients with classical rheumatoid arthritis, complicated in one case by necrotic vasculitis, and in the other by mononeuritis multiplex. Immediate improvement in the peripheral circulation was observed in both patients with subsequent healing of necroses and nerve function, respectively. The treatment was combined with low doses of corticosteroids and cytostatic agents. After 2 years, both patients were still receiving intermittent plasma exchanges, performed at 3-4 month intervals. A correlation between immediate circulatory improvement and lowered plasma viscosity by the plasma exchange was indicated.