Observations on 10 years' HBs antigenaemia after renal transplantation.

A renal transplant patient became a carrier of HBs Ag within four weeks of a successful transplant. The level of antigenaemia was extremely high, and approximately 3% of the particles were 42 nm Dane particles, although the anti-HBe was present from at least 20 months after transplant. After four years the antigenaemia declined to a low level, and five years later HBs Ag became undetectable for the first time. During the past 18 months, no antigen has been detected although immunosuppression continues and the original kidney is still functional

Psittacosis/ornithosis in Cambridgeshire 1975-1983.

In a population of approximately 300 000 there were 150 illnesses attributable to chlamydial infection from January 1975 to June 1983 and nearly all were presumed due to Chlamydia psittaci. Diagnosis was based on the complement-fixation (CF) test, the disadvantages of which are discussed, especially anamnestic responses. There were 73 cases of pneumonia, 37 febrile respiratory infections, 35 miscellaneous conditions and five asymptomatic seropositive contacts. The annual number of cases was lowest in 1976 (3) and increased to a maximum in 1980 (28) followed by a sustained high level. No seasonal variation was observed. A presumptive bird source was present in only 17% and detailed consideration of cases in one rural practice suggests that the infection may possibly be more endemic than zoonotic

Cytomegalovirus antibody production in renal transplant patients

Sera were examined from 50 patients on the renal transplant unit, Cambridge, for antibody against cytomegalovirus by complement fixation and by immunofluorescence for IgG and IgM antibodies