VARIATION IN PROTEIN AND POLYSACCHARIDE CONTENT OF SERA IN THE CHRONIC DISEASES, TUBERCULOSIS, SARCOIDOSIS, AND CARCINOMA 1

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Abstract
Electrophoretic analyses of sera combined with chemical analyses for polysaccharide can be helpful in the. differential diagnosis of tuberculosis, sarcoidosis and carcinoma. Cases of tuberculosis were carefully selected in the clinic according to their stage of the disease. The carcinoma cases included lesions of many different organs. At least 20 cases of each type of disease were studied and the following conclusions were based upon the statistic analysis of the results. A statistically significant rise in the [gamma] globulin occurred in the serum in minimal active tuberculosis, with a corresponding decrease in albumin. In moderately advanced disease the [alpha]2 globulin and polysaccharide content also increased. These changes were still further emphasized in far advanced tuberculosis and all the globulins were also increased. No deviation from the normal occurred in minimal tuberculosis of questionable clinical significance. Moderately advanced tuberculosis of questionable clinical significance showed only a decrease in albumin, indicating that it was the last component to return to normal. Sera from cases of sarcoidosis showed an increase in total protein, a proportionate large increase in y globulin and only a moderate increase in polysaccharide content. In carcinoma there was a decrease in total protein, a large increase in [alpha]2 globulin and polysaccharide content. Fetal sera showed a low total protein and polysaccharide content and low globulins, except [gamma] globulin, which was high. It is suggested that the increase in [gamma] globulin in minimal tuberculosis may indicate antibody formation, whereas the rise in [alpha]2 globulin and simultaneous rise in polysaccharide in advanced tuberculosis and carcinoma may represent tissue destruction.