Autoantigens and autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of disease with special reference to blackwater fever

摘要: Abstract A hypothesis of the pathogenesis blackwater fever, suggested by observation that liver emulsion from a rhesus monkey dead yellow stimulates formation antiliver antibodies when injected into another monkey, is put forward and discussed. This may be formulated thus:— It noted that, in cases red cells show auto-agglutination spherocytosis erythrophagocytosis commonly seen smears spleen, and, occasionally, films peripheral blood: Further, it has been observed, healthy donors haemolyze as rapidly case fever patient's own on other hand, transfused recipient, remaining patient. There usually considerable interval between first attack malaria onset during which patient suffers repeated attacks malaria, often inadequately treated with quinine. noted, too, closely simulated effects an incompatible blood transfusion paroxysmal haemoglobinuria injection artificially produced haemolytic serum experimental animals. All these observations are readily explained assumption biological autohaemolysin concerned fever. Other hypotheses cannot satisfactorily account for them, especially specific association malaria. concluded, therefore, almost certainly production The site this discussed, considered mostly spleen. boosting titre resulting treated, factors producing sudden contraction congested accumulated, likely to precipitate dramatic treatment condition light important prevent such contractions also important, order avoid development state sensitivity, treat malarial infections adequately. conditions characterized intravascular haemolysis briefly apart transfusion, known caused antibodies, acute anaemias following certain drugs favism can reasonably explained. Cases aplastic anaemia, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, described, explanation their possibly found here enunciated.