6
body burden level of radionuclides; this indicates
that there is probably no correlation with radiation
exposure. Hemoglobin types were considered normal, Sickling tests showed no sickling tendency in
any of the people. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydro-
in 4 unexposed individuals, which indicated a rather
high incidence of diabetes.
A survey for intestinal parasites (1958) showed
75% of the people to be infected with various
types. For the three major pathogens found, the
the Marshallese. Studies of Gm phenotypes showed
the Marshallese to have 100% Gm/‘*+’ and nearly 100% Gm'**'. There was a complete absence
of Gm* and a high frequency of Gm-like (Gm‘).
Considerable caution must be exercised in evaluating the results of these studies on genetically
inherited characteristics because of the small number of samples tested. The data do seem to indicate
telative homogeneity of the population and closest
kinship with people of Southeast Asia. These data
also may be useful as a base line should genetic
changes appear in later generations, possibly related
to radiation exposure.
Results of other laboratory studies included the
following: Serum protein levels were generally on
the high side of normal; electrophoretic patterns
showed the increase in proteins was largely due
to an increase in the gammaglobulin fraction. The
reason for this is not apparent. Numerous chronic
infections may be an explanation.
lytica, 18.2%; for hookworm, 5.5%; and for
Trichurts trichiura, 34.3% .
Eosinophilia >5% has consistently been noted
in about half the people. The fact that half the cases
with eosinophilia showed no helminthic infections
at all suggests that other factors besides parasitic
infections must be responsible. The eosinophilia
may be related to chronic fungus and other infections, particularily of the skin.
Complementfixation studies for parainfluenza |,
2, and 3, respiratory syncitial, psittacosis, and OQ fever showed antibodies to all groups of viruses
except that for Asian influenza, which probably
had not yet seriously involved the people of the
Marshall Islands. The antibody titers appeared to
be somewhat lowerin the exposed people.
genaseof the red cells appeared to be deficient in
Sodium levels in the urine and food indicated
about the same consumption of NaC! as in Americans. The generally lower incidence of hypertension in the Marshallese might be related to the
fact that the former native diet was probably lower
in salt content than the present, more westernized
diet. It will be interesting to see whether the incidence of hypertension will later increase.
Serum cholesterol levels (1957, 1959) were
somewhat lower in the exposed population than in
the comparison or Utirik populations, but were in
the low normal range. No abnormally low readings
were noted.
Serum creatinine levels (1957) were in the normal range witb no abnormallevels noted.
Serum vitamin B,, concentrations (1958, 1959)
were generally significantly higher than American
levels. The possibility of contamination of the sam-
ples with bacteria producing vitamin B,, must be
considered, since myeloproliferative and liver diseases were not seen.
Serum protein bound iodine levels (1957, 1959)
were generally slightly elevated. Evidence for thyroid dysfunction was not apparentin the people.
Glucosuria and elevated blood sugar were found
over-all infection rates were, for Entamoeba histo-
DIFFICULTIES ASSOCIATED
WITH THE EXAMINATIONS
As mentioned in previous reports, several difficulties were associated with carrying out the examinations as well as interpreting the findings.
1. The language barrier made examinationsdifficult, since very little English is spoken by the
Marshallese. However, there were sufficient Eng-
lish-speaking Marshallese to assist the medical team
in most instances.
2. The lack of vital statistics or demographic
data on the Marshallese imposed seriousdifficulty
in interpretation and evaluation of the medical
data. Records of births, deaths, etc., have been
made by the heaith aides or magistrates of the villages and supposedly forwarded to the district
administrator; however, such records have been
incomplete or lost in most instances, and vital
statistics are therefore inadequate. Trust Territory
officials are now attempting to assemble such data.
3. There is uncertainty on the part of some of
the Marshallese as to their exact ages, particularly
among the older group. This imposes certain difficulties in interpreting some of the studies to be
outlined.