Abstract
Summary
The antistreptolysin values of the sera of 41 cases suffering from recurrent tropical lymphangitis and 20 normal cases are here reported. Apparently the antistreptolysin titer is increased in cases of lymphangitis if compared with normal subjects. The serum of cases suffering from acute lymphangitis varies in antistreptolysin titer according to whether the serum is studied before, during or after the attack.
Todd 1 has shown that there are in the sera of patients suffering from diseases caused by hemolytic streptococci, antibodies that neutralize in vitro streptococcal hemolysin. Todd 1 and Coburn 2 have demonstrated that these antibodies are found in abnormally high concentration in the sera of patients suffering from rheumatic fever and in individuals recovering from hemolytic streptococcus infections. Furthermore Coburn 2 has observed that these antibodies (antistreptolysins) are not abnormally increased in the sera of subjects with bacterial infection other than hemolytic streptococcus and he concludes that abnormally high antistreptolysin titer is strong evidence of recent infection by hemolytic streptococcus and that this relationship is apparently specific.
While studying the probable relationship of Streptococcus hemolyticus to recurrent tropical lymphangitis we have made antistreptolysin determinations in a group of persons suffering from this condition and in a group of apparently normal individuals. We have employed the method and culture media recommended by Hodge and Swift 3 in which the combining capacity of the streptolysin is used as an apparently more reliable index than its hemolytic power. In order to render our results comparable with those of others we are reporting them using the same system of units employed by Todd. This was made possible through the kindness of Dr. David Seegal of New York who made antistreptolysin determinations in 8 of our sera and recorded his results in units as recommended by Todd. By calculation we have been able to change our figures accordingly.
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