Abstract
Summary
Multiple electrophoretic determinations of the plasma proteins of 23 patients with pneumococcic pneumonia or meningitis have been made in relation to the duration of the infection and the importance of antecedent factors. Hypoproteinemia, due largely to significant progressive hypoalbuminemia, together with early increases in alpha-globulins and fibrinogen have been observed. Malnutrition, chronic alcoholism, cirrhosis and chronic passive congestion of the liver were found associated with more severe degrees of hypoalbuminemia. Diminished plasma albumin levels were seldom restored to normal within a month from the onset of the infection. The effects of intramuscular injections of immune human gamma globulin were investigated, with inconclusive results.
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