38
phosphatase staint#Potneutrophils showed a generally normal disgeibution of positive cells, as in
the previous year. Basophil counts of #000 cells
showed noincrease in levels above the norma! percentage in any subjects, either exposed or unex-
posed, in the 1959 and 1960 survevs, except for
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
The results of the complement fixation tests are
shown in Table 23. In discussing these results Dr.
R. J. Heubner made the following comments:
“IT suppose the most interesting thing is that
there ts evidence of infection with almost all the
groupsof viruses that wetestedfor. It is important
to point out that complement-fixing antibodies are
generally less persistent than are hemaggiutination inhibition and neutralizing antibodies. Therefore, the high levels of adenovirus and HA 1 complement-fixing antibodies reflect either recent infection or multiple infections with various members of the parainfluenza family of viruses. The
low levels obtained for other agents, such as influenza A, influenza B, HA 2, CA, mumps, LGV,
and © fever may reflect low levels of infection with
these agents, but morelikely might reflect the fact
that such agents have not been prevalent in recent
years. Thus, one might conclude from the data
that the Asian influenza virus has not yet seriously
involved the Marshall Island populations,or else,
of course, that the complement-fixing antibody
produced bythe Asian influenza has notpersisted.
‘‘[ would rather suspect from the age distribution that Asian influenza still has not reached
these people, and that one might look forward to
see if they are tnvoived at some future date. Sim-
ilarly, 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 prevalent in 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.
1185588
cent vears. However, the total absence of anti-
bodies even in persons over +0 suggests the possibility that it has not occurred in this population
at all. but the frst interpretation ts equally good.
The same comments would refer to the CA virus
or parainfluenza 2, but here the morelikelyinterpretation ts that the virus has not been present in
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 parainfuenza
group, the CA reactions and/or the mumpsreac-
tions could conceivably merelyreflect infections
with other members of the parainfluenza group.
‘It would be interesting to find out to what extent the psittacosis group and 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 inter-
esting in that an epidemic of serious proportions
did occur at Kwajalein Atoll in January 1960 resulting in significant mortality.
°
The average antibodytiters for the different age
groupsin the exposed people were, in nearly all
cases, lower than in the corresponding unexposed
age groups. It is not known whetherthis is a significant finding; further studies will be done to
determinethis. At three years after exposure, the
primary response to tetanus antitoxin averaged
slightly less in the exposed people than in the unexposed.*° However, because of the smail numbers
of people studied, this finding could not be considered significant.
Sodium and Potassium Levels, 1959
Potassium intake appeared to approximatethatof
Americans, namely, 40 to 100 mEq/day. Salt
intake varied widely as judged by urine excretion,
ranging from 2 to 18 g/day. The relatively high
salt consumption of some individuals is undoubt-
edly related to the irregular consumption of
canned C rations, to which 2% NaCl is added
routinely during preparation. The median intake
of salt appeared to approximate that of male employees at Brookhaven National Laboratory,
namely, 210 g/day. This undoubtedly represents
an increase over the intake in earlier years when
only native foods were eaten. It will be of interest
to note whether the tncidence of hypertension also
will begin to increase. At present the prevalence
of hypertension (B.P. greater than 140/90) is 9.2%