title: Autolymphocytotoxins in syphilis.
abstract: Nineteen of 23 serum samples from patients with secondary syphilis, six of 24 from patients with primary syphilis, and four of seven from patients with early latent syphilis had complement-dependent autolymphocytotoxic reactivity at 15 degrees C. After treatment, the reactivity was decreased. It was not directed only against autologous lymphocytes but also against allogeneic lymphocytes. Sephadex G-200 gel filtration showed that the lymphocytotoxins were present in the IgM-containing exclusion peak. Furthermore, serum samples that had high antibody titres in the Reiter protein complement-fixation test or Wassermann-Kolmer reaction also had a high frequency of cold-reacting autolymphocytotoxins. This indicates that the autolymphocytotoxic reactivity is related to the humoral response in syphilis.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000032:analysis*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D003080:Cold Temperature; D003168:Complement Fixation Tests; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013587:Syphilis / Q000276:immunology*; D013592:Syphilis, Latent / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D001323:Autoantibodies; D003165:Complement System Proteins