The so-called “Sashima Hepatitis” which is considered to be infectious hepatitis and now named as such by its peculiar clinical and epidemiological outlook was most prevalent in Sashima area, Ibaragi prefecture during the period 1963-1968.
In this paper, immuno-serological investigations such as serum immunoglobulin response, HIM (Hepatitis Infectious Mononucleosis test) reactivity, HAA (Hepatitis Associated Antigen) and HAAb (Antibody to HAA) titer were pursued mainly in the patients with the manifestations, and also persons who had an episode of that hepatitis in the past and inhabitants considered to be healthy in that area during the period from 1966 (late period in the epidemic) to 1971.
The results were summarized as follows:
1) Patients who had manifested in the late stage of the epidemic were found not to be suffering by initial attack of the new infection but considered to be showing acute manifestations while suffering from latent persistent hepatitis being infected before, the immunological findings indicated.
2) Long-term pursuing of immunoglobulin fluctuations appeared to be useful in predicting the prognosis of the hepatitis.
3) Regularly periodically performed estimation of IgG value is useful as a marker for the judgement of the course of the hepatitis such as reccurrence, lingering or subsiding.
4) The results of follow-up studies of immunoglobulins were suggestive of the existence of a feed back mechanism between IgG and IgM in the course of the disease.
5) Distribution of HIM antibody titers in Sashima area indicated the epidemic to be of viral nature.
6) HAAb titers in this area were demonstrated in significantly high rate, and that is suggestive of existing of HAA imbibition into the area in the past.

View full abstract

Since 1961, studies on the role of streptococci infections in the pathgenesis of glomerulonephritis have been continued using bacteriological and serological techniques in patients with renal diseases, the number of which accumulated to 142.
1) Hemolytic streptococci were isolated from 23 out of 51 patients hospitalized within three months after onset of symptom of acute glomerulonephritis. Thirteen of these streptococci belonged to group A; one, group C; one, group G; and eight were ungroupable. Ten of group A were identified as type 12. In patients with chronic nephritis, streptococci were isolated in 4 cases at the time of recurrence of nephritis, and 2 were identified as group A.
2) ASO titer over 333 units was observed in 23 out of 37 patients with acute nephritis (62.1%), and 1 of 7 cases with chronic nephritis (14.1%). Combination of ASO and ASK tests was performed simultaneously in additional 14 patients with acute nephritis. Nine out of 14 patients (64.1%) showed elevation of titer of of ASO (over 333 units), or ASK (over 2560 units).
3) Antibodies to the type-specific streptococcal M-protein were demonstrated immunoelectrophoretically in 17 of 18 patients with acute nephritis, 4 of 7 cases with chronic nephritis, and 1 of 2 patients with nephrotic syndrome.
4) Antibodies to phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.1) solubilized fraction prepared from type 12 streptococcal cell membrane were demonstrated immunoelectrophoretically in patients with acute nephritis with titer of 1250 units of ASO and 5120 units of ASK.

View full abstract

[in Japanese]

View full abstract