Blood serum immunoglobulins from

The parameters examined included WBC, lymphocyte levels, serum immunoglobulin levels, and lymphocyte subsets. The mean dioxin equivalent concentration (TEQ, includes CDDS, CDFs, and dioxinlike PCBs) in blood (lipid basis) from fish eaters (n=7) was 64 pg TEQ/g (range, 18-88 pg/g) compared to 21 pg TEQ/g (18-33 pg/g) for controls (n=4). CDDs and CDFs were the major contributors to the total dioxin equivalents in blood. Of all the parameters examined, only the level of NK cells was reduced in fish eaters, but the difference between groups was not statistically significant. No correlation was found between blood levels of 2,3,7,8-TCDD and the reduction in NK levels, but weak correlations existed between the latter and some non-ortho-PCB congeners and p,p -DDT. 

Collected blood should be allowed to clot and centrifuged as described previously to separate the serum (Harlow and Lane 1988). Polyclonal antisera should be stable at 4°C for several years if sodium azide (0.02%) is added to inhibit bacterial growth. However, it is usually best to aliquot precious reagents and store them at -80 C. Working stocks should be kept at 4°C, and repeated freeze-thaw cycles avoided. Some investigators prefer to partially purify immunoglobulins from serum using 50% ammonium sulfate (Harlow and Lane 1988). 

Immunoglobulins are purified from the serum (or plasma) of human donors by methods similar to those used to purify animal-derived antibodies. In most instances, the immunoglobulin preparations are enriched in antibodies capable of binding to a specific antigen (usually an infectious mi-croorganism/virus). These may be purified from donated blood of individuals who have recently ... 

Although hypersensitivity reactions can occur upon administration of immunoglobulin preparations, the incidence of such events is far less frequent than is the case upon administration of antibody preparations of animal origin. As with all blood-derived products, the serum from which the immunoglobulins are due to be purified is first assayed for the presence of infectious agents before its use. 

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