Effect of age on the severity of chronic lithium poisoning

Objectives: Severe lithium toxicity is commonly observed in older people. We aimed to determine the extent to which age is associated with increased severity of chronic lithium poisoning and of which a range of possible factors might explain the associations.Method: We did a retrospective review of patients aged ≥15 years old with serum lithium concentrations ≥1.3 mmol/L from three hospitals. Clinical details, treatment and outcomes were recorded. eGFR, creatinine and lithium clearance were calculated. The severity of lithium toxicity was graded into five categories (Amdisen score). ANOVA was used to quantify the association between age and severity. Spearman correlation coefficient was used to explore relationships between age and different factors expected to alter severity. Ordinal regression analysis was used to determine the interdependence of age and these factors and age on severity of lithium toxicity.Results: From 2008-2018, there were 242 patients with a median age of 56.5 years (IQR: 41-69). There were 156 females (64%). There was a statistically significant association between Amdisen severity scores and age (p = .0004). The median calculated eGFR was 65 mL/min/1.73 m² (IQR: 41-91) with a corresponding estimated lithium clearance of 18 mL/min (IQR: 13.8-22.8). There was no correlation of age with initial serum lithium concentration (p = .76). There was a strong correlation between age and estimated lithium clearance (r = -0.72, 95% CI: -0.78 to -0.66, p < .001), lithium daily dose (r = -0.65, 95% CI: -0.72 to -0.57, p < .0001) and lithium concentration/dose (r = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.53-0.69, p < .0001). There was a weak correlation between age and infection (r = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.04-0.31, p = .009) and drug interactions (r = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.11-0.37, p = .0003). Ordinal regression indicated the independent predictors for severity of lithium toxicity were lithium concentration (p < .0001) and lithium clearance (p = .03) adjusted for age and dose.Conclusions: Despite lower lithium doses, older patients had more severe toxicity. Increased severity of lithium toxicity in the elderly is largely explainable by decreased lithium clearance from multiple factors such as age-related decline in renal function, drug interactions and infection.

High-yield expression of fully bioactive N-terminal parathyroid hormone analog in Escherichia coli

A fully active analog of human parathyroid hormone (hPTH) has been produced by recombinant expression in Escherichia coli. Initially, a nucleotide sequence encoding hPTH(1-34)-Asp-Pro was ligated to a proinsulin gene in the plasmid pUC8, for the eventual expression of a fusion protein of 137 amino acids. Unexpectedly, the proinsulin gene and 340 bp downstream were deleted by an unknown mechanism during transformation of the E. coli. This resulted in a new plasmid encoding a small (72-amino acid) fusion product of hPTH(1-34)-Asp35-Pro36-X, where X is a 36-residue "arbitrary" downstream sequence of pUC8. The fusion product was efficiently expressed and the hPTH analog, [Asp35]hPTH-(1-35), was readily released by acid cleavage, with a yield of 100 mg/L. This analog had an effective concentration for half-maximal adenylyl cyclase stimulation (EC50) in rat osteosarcoma cells of 14 nM, which was identical to that for hPTH-(1-34). In the ovariectomized rat model of osteoporosis, [Asp35]hPTH-(1-35) was fully active as a bone anabolic agent.

Mapping the substrate binding site of the prostaglandin transporter PGT by cysteine scanning mutagenesis

We have identified a cDNA, PGT, that encodes a widely expressed transporter for prostaglandin (PG) E(2), PGF(2alpha), PGD(2), 8-iso-PGF(2alpha), and thromboxane B(2). To begin to understand the molecular mechanisms of transporter function, we have initiated a structure-function analysis of PGT to identify its substrate-binding region. We have found that by introducing the small, water-soluble, thiol-reactive anion Na(2-sulfonatoethyl)methanethiosulfonate (MTSES) into the substrate pathway, we were able to cause inhibition of transport that could be reversed with dithiothreitol. Importantly, co-incubation with PGE(2) protected PGT from this inhibition, suggesting that MTSES gains access to the aqueous pore pathway of PGT to form a mixed disulfide near the substrate-binding site. To identify the susceptible cysteine, we mutated, one at a time, all six of the putative transmembrane cysteines to serine. Only the mutation of Cys-530 to serine within putative transmembrane 10 became resistant to inhibition by MTSES. Thus, Cys-530 is the substrate-protectable, MTSES-inhibitable residue. To identify other residues that may be lining the substrate-binding site, we initiated cysteine-scanning mutagenesis of transmembrane 10 using Cys-530 as an entry point. On a C530S, MTSES-resistant background, residues in the N- and C-terminal directions were individually mutated to cysteine (Ala-513 to His-536), one at a time, and then analyzed for MTSES inhibition. Of the 24 cysteine-substituted mutants generated, 6 were MTSES-sensitive and, among these, 4 were substrate-protectable. The pattern of sensitivity to MTSES places these residues on the same face of an alpha-helix. The results of cysteine-scanning mutagenesis and molecular modeling of putative transmembrane 10 indicate that the substrate binding of PGT is formed among its membrane-spanning segments, with 4 residues along the cytoplasmic end of helix 10 contributing to one surface of the binding site.

Cloning of the human kidney PAH transporter: narrow substrate specificity and regulation by protein kinase C

Conserved from fish to mammals, renal proximal tubule organic anion secretion plays an important role in drug and xenobiotic elimination. Studies with the model substrate p-aminohippurate (PAH) have suggested that a basolateral PAH/alpha-ketoglutarate exchanger imports diverse organic substrates into the proximal tubule prior to apical secretion. cDNAs encoding PAH transporters have been cloned recently from rat and flounder. Here we report the cloning of a highly similar human PAH transporter (hPAHT) from human kidney. By Northern blot analysis and EST database searching, hPAHT mRNA was detected in kidney and brain. PCR-based monochromosomal somatic cell hybrid mapping placed the hPAHT gene on chromosome 11. When expressed transiently in vitro, hPAHT catalyzed time-dependent and saturable [3H]PAH uptake (Km of approximately 5 microM). Preincubation with unlabeled alpha-ketoglutaric or with glutaric acid stimulated tracer PAH uptake, and preincubation with unlabeled PAH stimulated tracer alpha-ketoglutarate uptake, results that are consistent with PAH/alpha-ketoglutarate exchange. Several structurally diverse organic anions cis-inhibited PAH uptake. Like rat OAT1 organic anion transporter, hPAHT was inhibited by furosemide, indomethacin, probenecid, and alpha-ketoglutarate. Unlike OAT1, hPAHT was not inhibited by prostaglandins or methotrexate (MTX). Moreover, tracer PGE2 and MTX were not transported, indicating that the substrate specificity for transport by hPAHT is not broad. PAH uptake was inhibited by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) in a dose- and time-dependent fashion, but not by the inactive 4alpha-phorbol-12,13 didecanoate. PMA-induced inhibition was blocked by staurosporine. Thus the protein kinase C-mediated inhibition of basolateral organic anion entry previously reported in intact tubules is likely due, at least in part, to direct modulation of the PAH/alpha-ketoglutarate exchanger.

Serotonin syndrome resulting from drug interactions

We describe six patients diagnosed with serotonin syndrome after exposure to drugs with serotonergic activity. Drug interactions occurred as a result of a combination of tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors or monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Management included supportive care and the use of non-specific serotonin antagonists (cyproheptadine, benzodiazepines and chlorpromazine). All patients made uneventful recoveries.

The renal excretory mechanisms and the role of organic cations in modulating the renal handling of paraquat

Paraquat (PQ), a cationic herbicide, is predominantly excreted by the kidneys, but it is also nephrotoxic. It is thought to cause damage to proximal renal epithelial cells, which results in acute renal failure. The precise mechanism by which PQ is excreted by the kidney has not been fully elucidated, although current evidence indicates that it is actively secreted via a cation transport system. This review examines the renal cytotoxic effect and excretory mechanisms of PQ, and the role of organic cations in modulating the renal handling of PQ.

Mechanism of prostaglandin E2 transport across the plasma membrane of HeLa cells and Xenopus oocytes expressing the prostaglandin transporter "PGT"

We recently identified a novel prostaglandin transporter called PGT (Kanai, N., Lu, R., Satriano, J. A., Bao, Y., Wolkoff, A. W., and Schuster, V. L. (1995) Science 268, 866-869). Based on initial functional studies, we have hypothesized that PGT might mediate the release of newly synthesized prostaglandins (PG), epithelial transport of PGs, or metabolic clearance of PGs. Here we examined the mechanism of PGT transport as expressed in HeLa cells and Xenopus oocytes, using isotopic PG influx and efflux studies. In both native HeLa cells and oocytes, cell membranes were poorly permeable to PGs. In contrast, in oocytes injected with PGT mRNA, the PG influx permeability coefficient was 90-157 times that of oocytes injected with water. The rank order substrate profile was PGF2alpha approximately PGE2 > TXB2 >> 6 keto-PGF1alpha. PG influx displayed an overshoot with rapid accumulation of tracer PGE2, followed by a gradual return to baseline. Based on estimated oocyte volumes, the PGT-mediated accumulation of PGE2 reached steady state at intra-oocyte concentrations 25-fold higher than the external media. The accumulation of PG was not due to intracellular binding or metabolism. PGT-mediated uptake was ATP- and temperature-dependent, but not sodium-dependent, and was inhibited by disulfonic stilbenes, niflumic acid, and the thiol reactive anion MTSES (Na(2-sulfonatoethyl)methanethiosulfonate). [3H]PGE2 efflux from PGT-transfected HeLa cells was stimulated by external (trans) PGE2 in a dose-dependent fashion and was inhibited by bromcresol green and 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate. Membrane depolarization inhibited uptake of [3H]PGE2, consistent with a model of net outward movement of negative charge during the translocation event. These findings suggest that PGT mediates [3H]PGE2 accumulation via obligatory, electrogenic anion exchange.

Transport of paraquat by a renal epithelial cell line, MDCK

Transport of paraquat (PQ), a herbicidal cation, was previously investigated in a proximal (LLC-PK1), renal epithelial cell line using permeable collagen-coated filters. PQ was actively transported from the basolateral side via a cation transport system by the LLC-PK1 cells. In the present study, the transport of PQ was investigated in a distal renal epithelial cell line, MDCK. PQ was predominantly transported from the basolateral to apical (B to A) side. The basolateral transport of PQ in MDCK cells was not saturable with increasing concentrations and not energy dependent. The flux and uptake of PQ was much lower in the MDCK than LLC-PK1 cells. It is concluded that MDCK, a distal renal tubular cell line, does not have an active transport system for PQ.

The mechanism of excretion of paraquat in rats

Paraquat (PQ)(1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridinium) is a toxic herbicidal cation. The renal excretory mechanisms of PQ and its interactions with organic cations and anions were investigated in anaesthetised rats. The renal clearance of PQ was studied in male Wistar rats using inulin as the marker of glomerular filtration rate. The fractional excretion of paraquat (FEpq) decreased from 2.1+/-0.01 to 1.2+/-0.03 as the plasma concentration rose from 0.4+/-0.02 to 21.2+/-1.6 microM. These results demonstrated that the excretion of PQ was greater than glomerular filtration, concentration dependent and saturable, indicating that it was secreted by an active transport system. The excretion of PQ was dependent predominantly on the glomerular filtration rate with a small secretory component (Km = 8.5+/-3.1 microM, Vmax = 114+/-19 nmol/kg per min). The clearance of PQ was not inhibited by high doses of cimetidine, or p-aminohippurate. However, quinine (P = 0.001) and N-methylnicotinamide (NMN) (P = 0.03) reduced the FEpq, suggesting that they share a similar cation transport system with PQ. In summary, PQ is actively secreted by the rat kidney via a cation transport system.

Survival after a massive hydrofluoric acid ingestion

BACKGROUND

Hydrofluoric acid ingestion is known to have a very high mortality rate secondary to the rapid development of hypocalcemia and fatal arrhythmias.

CASE REPORT

A 33-year-old man ingested an estimated dose of hydrofluoric acid 6 times that considered to be lethal. The patient survived with minimal morbidity despite having multiple ventricular fibrillation arrests. His survival is attributed to early, high dose calcium therapy given via the nasogastric and intravenous routes.

Characterisation and uptake of paraquat by rat renal proximal tubular cells in primary culture

1 Uptake of the herbicide paraquat (PQ), by rat proximal tubular cells (PTC) in primary culture grown on a collagen coated support was investigated. 2 The uptake of PQ by PTC was predominantly from the basolateral side. The basolateral uptake of PQ was saturable with time and increasing concentrations, energy dependent and could be inhibited by certain organic cations. Using Michaelis Menten kinetics, the apparent K(m) was 778 +/- 241 microM and Vmax was 0.97 +/- 0.24 pmol/microgram protein/15 min for the basolateral uptake of PQ. Cimetidine (5.7 +/- 0.4 pg/microgram protein/ 30 min, P < 0.001) was the most potent inhibitor of PQ uptake, followed by quinine (6.5 +/- 0.4 pg/microgram protein/30 min, P < 0.01) and then tetraethylammonium (8.2 +/- 0.5 pg/microgram protein/30 min, P < 0.05) when compared with control (11 +/- 1 pg/microgram protein/30 min). N-methylnicotinamide, p-aminohippurate and putrescine did not inhibit the basolateral uptake of PQ. The sodium hydrogen exchange inhibitors, amiloride and its analogue, 5-(N,N hexamethylene) amiloride (HMA) inhibited both the apical and basolateral uptake of PQ. 3 The apical uptake of PQ was not saturable with increasing concentrations and was not inhibited by 2,4-dinitrophenol, but it was reduced by cimetidine (P < 0.01), quinine (P < 0.05) and a sodium potassium ATPase inhibitor, ouabain (P < 0.01). 4 It is concluded that PQ was taken up from the basolateral side of primary cultured rat PTC by an energy dependent transport system.

Transport of paraquat in a renal epithelial cell line LLC-PK1

Transport of paraquat (PQ), a cationic herbicide, was investigated in a proximal renal epithelial cell line, LLC-PK1. Collagencoated permeable filters were used to study the direction of PQ transport. PQ was transported predominantly from the basolateral to apical (B-->A) membrane of these cells. The B-->A flux and uptake of PQ were saturable with time and increasing concentrations, energy dependent and inhibited by several cations. Quinine was the most potent inhibitor of basolateral PQ uptake, followed by cimetidine and then tetraethylammonium acetate (P < .0001). The noninhibitable basolateral uptake of PQ has an apparent K(m) of 357 microM and a Vmax of 1.47 pmol/micrograms protein/2 min. For flux studies, only quinine inhibited the B-->A flux of PQ (P = .02). Putrescine, p-aminohippurate, probenecid, N-methylnicotinamide and choline did not inhibit the flux or uptake of PQ. 5-N,N-Hexamethylene amiloride, a cationic amiloride analog and a potent inhibitor of the Na/H exchanger, significantly inhibited the uptake of PQ from either side (P < .0001). Acidic pH in the apical medium inhibited the uptake of PQ from either side. The studies demonstrated that PQ was actively transported by the LLC-PK1 cells. PQ shared a similar transport system with several cations, which appeared to have a more significant inhibition on the transcellular uptake than the flux of PQ.

Effect of base-mismatch in the cohesive ends of oligonucleotide in gene cloning

The tolerance of mismatched nucleotides between the cohesive ends of insert and target DNAs in gene cloning has been investigated. An oligonucleotide duplex with a cohesive end GGCC-5' or variation was ligated to the 5'-CCGG end of a linearized plasmid. The ligation mixture was used in the transformation of E. coli. A single-base mismatch, such as 5'-CCGG/AGCC-, GACC-, GGAC- or GGCA-5' (mismatch underlined), was well tolerated in the cloning of the oligonucleotide duplex, with efficiency lower than the fully complementary ends. Double-base mismatch 5'-CCGG/AACC- or GGAA-5' resulted in further decrease of cloning efficiency. Via a similar approach, a tetracycline resistance gene was successfully inserted into a pUC-type plasmid.

Structural aspects of a higher order nucleoprotein complex: induction of an altered DNA structure at the Mu-host junction of the Mu type 1 transpososome

The Mu in vitro strand transfer reaction proceeds via two stable higher order nucleoprotein complexes, the Type 1 and Type 2 transpososomes. The Mu A protein is responsible for the structural and functional integrity of the Type 1 transpososome. We have investigated the quaternary structure of the Mu A protein within this complex by chemical cross-linking experiments and found that the basic structural unit is an A tetramer. Three Mu A binding sites in the transpososome are protected by DNase I footprinting: the outermost A binding sites L1 and R1, as well as R2. Genetic evidence is also presented which corroborates this result. Efficient formation of Type 1 complexes occurs in mini-Mus with the L3 or R3 sites deleted or when the L2 site has been substituted; but no reaction occurs in the absence of R2. The protection at the L1 and R1 sites extends 12-13 bp beyond the Mu-host junctions as seen by DNase I and methidiumpropyl-EDTA.Fe(II) [MPE.Fe(II)] foot-printing, indicating Mu A contacts with the flanking host sequences in the transpososome but not on linear DNA; furthermore, hydroxyl radical footprinting shows an unprecedentedly large enhancement on the continuous strand, 2 bp beyond the nick site outside the Mu right end, which suggests that an altered DNA structure is induced upon Type 1 complex formation.

The kalilo linear senescence-inducing plasmid of Neurospora is an invertron and encodes DNA and RNA polymerases

The nucleotide sequence of kalilo, a linear plasmid that induces senescence in Neurospora by integrating into the mitochondrial chromosome, reveals structural and genetic features germane to the unique properties of this element. Prominent features include: (1) very long perfect terminal inverted repeats of nucleotide sequences which are devoid of obvious genetic functions, but are unusually GC-rich near both ends of the linear DNA; (2) small imperfect palindromes that are situated at the termini of the plasmid and are cognate with the active sites for plasmid integration into mtDNA; (3) two large, non-overlapping open-reading frames, ORF-1 and ORF-2, which are located on opposite strands of the plasmid and potentially encode RNA and DNA polymerases, respectively, and (4) a set of imperfect palindromes that coincide with similar structures that have been detected at more or less identical locations in the nucleotide sequences of other linear mitochondrial plasmids. The nucleotide sequence does not reveal a distinct gene that codes for the protein that is attached to the ends of the plasmid. However, a 335-amino acid, cryptic, N-terminal domain of the putative DNA polymerase might function as the terminal protein. Although the plasmid has been co-purified with nuclei and mitochondria, its nucleotide composition and codon usage indicate that it is a mitochondrial genetic element.

Delayed diagnosis in subarachnoid haemorrhage

OBJECTIVE

To determine the outcome in patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage from a ruptured aneurysm, particularly in those in whom the diagnosis was delayed.

DESIGN

A two-year retrospective study of medical records of patients admitted to Westmead Hospital between July 1988 and June 1989.

SETTING

A tertiary level teaching hospital.

PATIENTS

Ninety-four patients treated for subarachnoid haemorrhage. In 15 cases the diagnosis was delayed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Death, disability, or functional recovery.

RESULTS

Overall, 40 (42.5%) patients died, 14 (15%) were disabled, and 40 made a functional recovery. Of the 62 patients who were treated surgically 38 (61%) made a functional recovery compared with two of the 32 (6%) who were not. Of the 15 in whom the diagnosis was delayed seven (47%) made a functional recovery. Confirmation of the diagnosis was delayed in four of the latter group because a cranial computed tomography scan showed no abnormalities.

CONCLUSIONS

Earlier diagnosis, allowing early definitive surgical treatment, may improve the outcome in aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage. The results of a computed tomography scan are diagnostic only if they are positive--a negative result must be interpreted in conjunction with the clinical picture.

Urban trauma: an analysis of 1,116 paediatric cases

Over a 2-year period 1,116 children admitted to an urban teaching hospital were studied prospectively. The overall group was analysed as to the nature of the injury and a subgroup of seriously injured children was identified and further analysed. All deaths were examined as to their cause and possible preventable as well as salvageable factors. The predictive value of the Trauma Score (T.S.) and Method of Injury (M.O.I.) were evaluated for their prospective prediction of serious injury as determined by the Injury Severity Score and outcome. Most of the children were not seriously injured, with the most common injury being due to a fall (57%) and involving a single injury to the upper limb. With the subgroup of 143 children (13% of the total) who suffered serious injuries, the cranial cavity (90%) was the most common site of injury, occurring most often in pedestrians (31% of the total injured). There were 16 deaths in the series, representing 1.4% of all paediatric trauma admissions and 11% of the admissions who were seriously injured. All deaths were related to motor vehicle accidents and associated with serious head injury. A Trauma Score less than or equal to 12 accurately included all deaths but when correlated with the I.S.S., the Trauma Score had a specificity of 99% and a positive predictive value of 86%; its sensitivity was only 27%. The Method of Injury was associated with an overtriage rate of 300% in relation to the I.S.S.. Of children admitted following pedal cycle accidents only 9% were wearing helmets. Of car occupants injured, 39% were unrestrained.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Insertion of a foreign nucleotide sequence into mitochondrial DNA causes senescence in Neurospora intermedia

The kalilo variants of Neurospora contain a cytoplasmic genetic factor that causes senescence. This factor is a 9.0 kb transposable element (kalDNA) that lacks nucleotide sequence homology with mtDNA and is inserted into the mitochondrial chromosome, often at sites located within the open reading frame in the intron-DNA of the mitochondrial 25S-rRNA gene. Genomes containing the "foreign" DNA insert accumulate during growth, and death occurs as the cells become deficient in functional large and small subunits of mitochondrial ribosomes. The kalDNA transposon may be an "activator" element that causes breaks in mtDNA. Nonsenescing [+] strains of Neurospora do not contain kalDNA.

Observations on the discharged granules from guinea-pig bone marrow basophils following anaphylaxis

Degranulation of basophils took place in sensitized guinea-pigs when challenged with specific antigen, regardless of whether the animals had received a mepyramine maleate (anti-histamine) injection or not. The degranulation was most pronounced in the first 5 minutes following challenge. The discharged basophil granules were taken up by the neutrophils, the macrophages, and the monocytes in the bone marrow; the neutrophils, however, responded much more promptly and actively than the other phagocytes. Phagocytosis of the discharged basophil granules was most active 10–15 minutes following challenge, during which varying numbers of phagocytic vacuoles were found in the phagocytes.

Stages of changes were observed in the phagocytic vacuoles and their granule contents, which consisted of: (1) diminution or disappearance of the perigranular clear space with subsequent adhesion of the limiting membrane of the vacuole to the granule content; (2) disintegration or dissolution of the granule content and the limiting membrane of the vacuole; and (3) incorporation of the granule content into the cytoplasmic matrix of the phagocyte. In addition, a depletion of neutrophil granules in the cytoplasm surrounding the phagocytic vacuole was also observed in association with the above changes, and was suggested to be related to the digestion of the ingested granules.

The discharged basophil granules disappeared completely from the bone marrow by 1 hour after challenge. The removal of the granules was by digestion while they were in the bone marrow as well as by dispersal of the granules through the bone marrow sinusoids into the circulation.

Ultrastructural changes in guinea-pig bone marrow basophils during anaphylaxis

A sequence of ultrastructural changes related to the degrees of severity of the anaphylactic reaction was observed in the bone marrow basophils of guinea-pigs. This sequence of changes might represent the sequential stages of a process of degranulation which consisted of (1) formation of haloes of low electron-density around the granules, (2) development of vacuoles by intercommunicating the adjacent haloes and of confluent vacuoles by joining the small vacuoles, and (3) disruption of cell membrane with concomitant expulsion of granules into the intercellular space or sinusoid. The vacuoles might communicate with the cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum. Degranulation was found to be a result of an antigen—antibody reaction in which the reaginic antibodies produced had a selective affinity for the cell membrane of the basophils. The mechanism of degranulation might involve two factors: a physicochemical factor of changing the nature of the cell membrane resulting from the antigen—antibody interaction, and a mechanical factor of pressure exerted on the cell membrane by the confluent vacuoles. The alterations in the granules themselves, such as relatively larger size, lighter electron-opacity and looser texture, appeared to be associated with the histamine release from the granules. The structural changes of the granule contents encountered in anaphylaxis suggest that the ultrastructure of the basophil granules may be composed of an orderly interlacing framework of microfilaments onto which other constituent substances are bound.

Quantitative changes in the basophil cells of guinea-pig bone marrow following the administration of desiccated ascaris ova

A quantitative study of basophil cells of the bone marrow, blood and peritoneal fluid was carried out in Dunkin—Hartley male guinea-pigs, following a single subcutaneous injection of ascaris ova fluid (AOF).

A marked increase of basophil cells was observed in the bone marrow 7 days after the injection of AOF. The increase was highly significant when compared with control animals injected with distilled water.

A comparison between the antigenicity of ascaris ova and that of ascaris body fluid in a previous study is discussed. It was shown that the ova of the ascaris gave rise to a response similar to that of ascaris body fluid in the degree of increase of basophils in the guinea-pig bone marrow.

Quantitative changes in the basophil cells of guinea-pig bone marrow following the administration of Ascaris body fluid

A quantitative study of basophil cells of bone marrow, blood and peritoneal fluid was carried out in seventy-two mixed strain male guinea-pigs, following daily subcutaneous injection of Ascaris body fluid (ABF).

An increase of marrow basophils was observed 4–10 days after one and the last of three daily injections of ABF. The degree of increase appeared to be related to the quantity of the antigen, but the duration of increase was about 2 weeks in both the singly and the repeatedly injected animals.

It is suggested that the protein in ABF may not be the sole agent responsible for the basophil production.

An allergic or antigen—antibody reaction may develop following the re-injection of ABF in the sensitized animals.

A great number of basophils and eosinophils was discharged from the bone marrow into the blood stream 1 day after the subcutaneous injection of ABF and following re-injection of the antigen.

The antigen administered subcutaneously also caused a cellular reaction in the peritoneal fluid.