Six hundred and fifty-seven children aged between 0 and 12 months were randomly chosen and studied for measles antibody titres by the haemagglutination inhibition (HAI) test. The results showed significant variations in HAI antibody titres. Children between 0-3 months showed high measles HAI antibody titres which declined to a trough between 4 and 6 months. A rise in HAI antibody titre was observed from 10 to 12 months age. Multiparity and higher age in the mothers were noted as probable factors influencing the titres of measles HAI antibody in children. The results indicated that with increased maternal parity, measles HAI antibody titres in the children declined.
Maize samples were obtained from different locations-namely Aba, Abakaliki, Afikpo, Okigwe, and Owerri-all in southeast Nigeria. Twelve mold species of the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, Alternaria, Fusariurn, and Acremoniurn (Cephalosporiurn) were isolated. The presence of aflatoxin B, was detected in 80% of the samples by the characteristic blue fluorescence that appeared on silica gel coated thin layer chromatography plates when viewed with a long-wave ultraviolet radiation source alongside an aflatoxin standard. Eight isolates of the Aspergillus flavus group obtained from the maize samples were tested for aflatoxin production. Natural medium (maize) at 26°C and moisture content adjusted to no less than 20% was used. Aflatoxin was produced to some degree by 87.5% of the isolates. There was no aflatoxin production at a market moisture content of 5.4% and temperature of 25, 30, and 35°C. However, at 26°C and increased moisture contents of 22.3-24.9%, varying amounts of aflatoxin were produced. 0 7994 byJohn Wiley & Sons, Inc.
We have quantified the levels of IgG, IgA and IgM in Nigerian cord blood samples during the dry and the wet seasons. Almost all the samples collected during both seasons had detectable levels of IgG and IgM, while IgA was detected in 71% of those collected in the rainy season and in only 45% of those collected during the dry season. We observed seasonal variations in the levels of each of these immunoglobulins but the variations were not consistent for all three immunoglobulin classes. This suggests that the levels of each immunoglobulin class in the cord blood is probably controlled by different antigenic factors in our environment. The mean values for all three immunoglobulin classes were raised in all our samples above those of UK cord blood samples. This is consistent with earlier reports for samples collected in the tropics. In the paired cord/maternal immunoglobulin estimations, 75% of cord sera had higher levels of IgG than their corresponding maternal samples, suggesting either active transfer of the immunoglobulin across the placenta or increased rate of synthesis or decreased rate of catabolism in utero.
Sera of 173 patients with various forms of liver disease along with serum precipitates produced by polyethylene glycol were screened for the presence of a microsomal antigen referred to as ubiquitous tissue antigen (UTA) and its antibody by double diffusion precipitation in agarose gel. UTA was detected in 7 of 26 patients with chronic active hepatitis, 1 of 5 with alcoholic hepatitis, 2 of 14 with alcoholic cirrhosis and 18 of 98 with hepatoma. Antibodies to UTA were found only in 2 patients with chronic active hepatitis, 1 with alcoholic cirrhosis and 1 with hepatoma. No UTA or its antibody were noted in sera of 5 patients with alcoholic fatty liver, 10 patients with hepatitis B, and 15 asymptomatic carriers of HBsAg. Positivity for the UTA or its antibody was restricted to severe, chronic cases irrespective of diagnosis, indicating that persistent tissue destruction might be necessary for antigen release or antibody formation.
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