38
phosphatase staining of neutrophils showed a gen-
erally normal distribution of positive cells, as in
the previous year. Basophil counts of 4000 cells
showed noincrease in levels above the normal percentage in anysubjects, either exposed or unexposed, in the 1959 and 1960 surveys, exceptfor
one 6-year-old exposed boy ( #3).* The mean
percent basophil count (counting 4000 white cells)
for the exposed Rongelap group was 0.42% in
1959 and 0.93% in 1960; in the Ailingnae group,
0.29% in 1959 and 0.80% in 1960. Basophil counts
on the unexposed group are not yet complete for
1959. The individual values for alkaline phosphatase and basophil counts are presented in
Appendix 5.
Complement Fixation Tests
Theresults of the complementfixationtests are
shown in Table 23. In discussing these results Dr.
R. J. Heubner made the following comments:
“JT suppose the most interesting thing is that
there 1s evidence of infection with almost all the
groupsof viruses that wetested for. It is important
to point out that complement-fixing antibodies are
generally less persistent than are hemagglutination inhibition and neutralizing antibodies. Therefore, the high levels of adenovirus and HA I complement-fixing antibodies reflect either recent infection or multiple infections with various members of the parainfluenza familyof viruses. The
low levels obtained for other agents, such as influenza A, influenza B, HA 2, CA, mumps, LGV,
and fever mayreflect lowlevels of infection with
these agents, but morelikely mightreflect the fact
that such agents have not been prevalent in recent
years. Thus, one might conclude from the data
that the Asian influenzavirushas notyet seriously
involved the Marshall Island populations,orelse,
of course, that the complement-fixing antibody
produced by the Asian influenza has notpersisted.
“T would rather suspect from the age distribuuon that Asian influenza still has not reached
these people, and that one might look forward to
see if they are involved at some future date. Simlarly, the age distribution of influenza B antibodies suggests that it has not occurredfor at least
6 to 10 years. The absence of HA 2 antibodies suggests that the virus has not been prevalentin re*In 1959 his basophil count was 2.1%, WBC 8600, and alka-
line phosphatase negative cells 79%. In 1960 his basophil count
was 3%, WBC 6100, and alkaline phosphatase negative cells
70%. No abnormal] forms were seen.
neee
ee ee re ee ee ee
cent years. However, the total absence of antibodies even in persons over 40 suggests the possibility that it has not occurred in this population
at all, but the first interpretation is equally good.
The same comments would refer to the CA virus
or parainfluenza2, but here the morelikely interpretation ts that the virus has not been presentin
the recent past, but the presence of antibodies may
suggest that it had been present 16 or more years
earlier. Since there is some overlap in antigens and
antibodies between mumpsand the parainfluenza
group, the CA reactions and/or the mumpsreac-
tions could conceivably merely reflect infections
with other members of the parainfluenza group.
“Tt would be interesting to find out to what extent the psittacosis group and Q fever represent a
threat to this population, and of course in the
birds and domestic animals as well.”
Dr. Heubner’s forecast of Asian influenza in the
Marshall Islands from the Rongelap data is interesting in that an epidemic of serious proportions
did occur at Kwajalein Atoll in January 1960 resulting in significant mortality.
The average antibody titers for the different age
groups in the exposed people were, in nearly all
cases, lower than in the corresponding unexposed
age groups. It is not known whetherthisis a significant finding; further studies will be done to
determinethis. At three years after exposure, the
primary responseto tetanus antitoxin averaged
slightly less in the exposed people than in the un-
exposed.* However, because of the smal] numbers
of people studied, this finding could not be con-
sidered significant.
DOE ARCHIVES
Sodium and Potassium Levels, 1959
Potassium intake appeared to approximatethat of
Americans, namely, 40 to 100 mEg/day. Salt
intake varied widelyas judged byurine excretion,
ranging from 2 to 18 g/day. Therelatively high
salt consumption of someindividuals is undoubtedly related to the irregular consumption of
canned C rations, to which 2% NaC) is added
routinely during preparation. The median intake
of salt appeared to approximate that of male employees at Brookhaven National Laboratory,
namely, =10 g/day. This undoubtedlyrepresents
an increase overthe intake in earlier years when
only native foods were eaten. It will be of interest
to note whetherthe incidence of hypertension also
will begin to increase. At present the prevalence
of hypertension (B.P. greater than 140/90) is 9.2%