Studies on tumourous and other urogenital patients with respect to antigens of oncogenic adenovirus.

The possible connection of viruses with tumours was investigated by serologic examinations. Concerning the presence of antibodies against adenoviruses, especially those against the early non-virion antigens of oncogenic adenovirus type 12, approximately 4000 tests were made with sera of 446 urogenital patients with and without tumours and 70 ones with internal diseases. It was found by complement fixation tests that antibodies against nonvirion antigens of adenoviruses were present in 53% of urogenital patients suffering from malignant tumours and prostatic hypertrophy, in 18% of non-tumourous urological patients and in 4% of patients with internal diseases, respectively. The results suggest that adenoviruses may play a role in tumourous diseases of the urogenital organs.