IMMUNOLOGIC AND BIOCHEMICAL STUDIES IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO RHEUMATIC FEVER

[摘要] Human sera contain a heat stable inhibitor of bovine hyaluronidase. No evidence was obtained that the sera of children susceptible to rheumatic fever differed from those of nonsusceptible children in their capacity to inhibit bovine hyaluronidase activity.There was no significant difference in the degree of inhibition of hyaluronidase activity by sera of normal children, inactive rheumatic children and patients with rheumatic fever. Following antecedent respiratory illness, presumably streptococcal in origin, maximum mum inhibition of hyaluronidase activity was observed in sera of normal children, rheumatic children in apparent health and patients with active rheumatic fever. There was no apparent relation between the phase of rheumatic fever, active or inactive, and the degree of inhibition of hyaluronidase activity.A small series of bovine sera failed to inhibit bovine enzyme. Two crude preparations of human hyaluronidase were not inhibited by human or bovine sera. The inhibition of bovine hyaluronidase by human sera may represent an immunologic reaction. No evidence was obtained to indicate that the inhibition of this enzyme system by sera from rheumatic patients is a reflection of the rheumatic process.

[学科分类] 儿科学