In 239 German patients with atopic conditions (atopic dermatitis, hay fever, allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, and acute urticaria) the phenotype and gene distribution of 15 genetic blood polymorphisms (ABO, MNSs, rhesus, P, Kell, Duffy, Kidd, Hp, Gc, Gm, Inv, aP, PGM1, EsD, and 6-PGD) were analyzed and compared with those in 151 selected controls (individuals clinically free of allergic conditions and without allergy in the family history). The incidence of blood group antigens A and B was somewhat higher in patients than in controls. These observations are in accordance with the results of previous studies in other populations. In addition, our observations favor the hypothesis that there are also associations between the phenotypes Jk (a-b+), Inv(1) and red cell acid phosphatase aP A and aP AP on the one hand and atopic disposition on the other. The possible reasons for these associations are discussed.

Transferrin subtypings have been performed on three population samples originating from Himachal Pradesh, North India (Pangwala, Gaddi-Bharmour valley, Gaddi-Kangra district) and on three samples from Andhra Pradesh, South India (Koya, Konda Kammara, Lambadi). Among these six populations, marked differences in the distribution of Tf phenotype and allele frequencies are present. All Indian samples differ clearly from the hitherto reported Tf^C1 and Tf^C2 allele frequencies. In one of our Indian samples, the Pangwala, the most likely existence of a new Tf subtype variant (Tf Pangwala) could be demonstrated.

β₂-Glycoprotein I typings on 152 healthy Germans and 150 patients with atopic diseases did not show any differences in the serum protein concentrations or in the phenotype and gene frequencies. Compared to these German samples, Philippinos (n = 88) as well as healthy Negroes from South Africa (n = 192) revealed statistically significant lower concentrations of this serum protein. They differ also from the Germans with regard to phenotype and gene frequencies. A most striking result was found in the comparison of healthy and leprous Negroes (n = 250) from South Africa. In these, quite different and statistically significant β₂-Glycoprotein I concentrations, respectively, phenotype and gene frequencies were seen, which may be due to this disease. The possible reasons for these observations as well as for the observed population differences are discussed.

In 4 unrelated individuals from the Lambadi tribal population (Khamman district, Andhra Pradesh, South India) slow-moving serum albumin variants were found, which differ from all the hitherto reported albumin variants. We therefore designate this new variatn as ‘Albumin Lambadi’, In 2 other South Indian tribals (Koyas, West Godavari district, and Konda Kammaras, East Godavari district) no albumin variants were seen. This is the first report on the occurrence of serum albumin variants in any Indian tribal population.

In a sample of n = 160 nonrelated male and female patients suffering from psoriasis Vulgaris, blood serum protein, and enzyme group typings have been carried out and compared with healthy controls from the same area (Rheinland-Pfalz). Marked statistically significant differences between patients and controls were found in none of the genetic blood polymorphisms considered here. However, combining previously published data from various authors with our own, significant associations between this skin disease and genetic polymorphisms such as MN, Gc, Gm (2), red cell acid phosphatase, and red cell phosphoglucomutase (PGM1) were seen. The possible reasons for these associations are discussed.