Three types of gamma-globulins, gamma(2), gamma(IA), and yim, are present in certain body fluids and secretions in proportions significantly different from those of normal human serum. A lthough ylA-globulin is present in only small amounts in serum, it represents a major fraction of the gamma globulin of tears, bile, saliva, colostrum, and fluid of the small intestine.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Serum immunoglobulins, complement and a,-antitrypsin were assayed in forty-eight patients with chronic urticaria. Thirteen cases had chronic cold urticaria and thirtytwo had chronic idiopathic urticaria. Elevated mean serum IgM was found in chronic cold urticaria. Seven patients had partial immunoglobulin deficiencies. IgE was elevated in sixteen cases of chronic idiopathic and in two with chronic cold urticaria. Eight patients had depressed serum total haemoiytic complement activity. Low C3 and normal C4 serum protein concentrations in four cases suggested alternative complement pathway activation. Twenty of forty-six patients were atopic, although specific allergies responsible for the urticaria were not identified in any of them, a^antitrypsin levels were normal in all patients. The data suggest that the aetiology and pathogenesis of chronic urticarias in this study are heterogeneous. No evidence of abnormality of the protease inhibitor system in either chronic idiopathic or chronic cold urticaria was found.