Abstract
In the course of an inquiry into the significance of the proteinuria observed in a case of lymphogranuloma inguinale, the protein content of the serum was determined. An unanticipated hyperproteinemia was found, confirmed by 2 subsequent examinations. Further investigation in 12 cases of lymphogranuloma inguinale revealed high serum protein values in all but 2 cases. The hyperproteinemia was more marked in the advanced stages of the disease (cases 1-7, Table I), particularly in females with rectal stricture, than in those patients presenting suppurating inguinal buboes or proctitis. We had no opportunity to study patients with initial lesions.
There was a relative and absolute increase in serum globulin in 11 cases, shown to be due to an increase in euglobulin in 2 cases, with reversal of the albumin: globulin ratio in 9 instances (Table I).∗ Serum albumin was less than 3.7% in only 2 cases. The fibrinogen content of the plasma and the non-protein nitrogen content of the serum were within normal limits. The serum calcium was 9.1, 10.2, 11.3 and 10.3 mg. % in cases 1, 4, 6, and 11 respectively. The osmotic pressure of the serum in case 1, against normal saline solution buffered at pH 7.4, was within normal limits.
The erythrocytic sedimentation rate 1 , 2 , was increased in all but 2 of the cases examined, but was within normal limits in defibrinated blood (5, 2, 6, 5 mm. in 1 hour in cases 8, 9, 10, and 11 respectively). The Takata-Ara test was found to be positive in the 3 cases examined. The Ray globulin flocculation test, carried out as with kala-azar serum, was negative. The urine contained traces of protein in 5 of the 10 cases examined.
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