Carriage of penicillin-resistant pneumococci in Malawian children.

In a prospective study of pneumococcal carriage in 200 Malawian children under 5 years of age, 47.5% were carriers. The carriage rate was highest in those aged 3-12 months and did not vary with family size, nor was it higher in those who had recently been admitted to hospital.

Sensitization to sugar cane pollen in Okinawan allergic children.

Specific IgE antibodies to sugar cane pollen were investigated in seventy-four Okinawan children who suffered from allergic disorders. Only two (2.7%) with asthma of the 74 patients had specific IgE antibodies to sugar cane pollen as well as house dust and Dermatophagoides farinae.

Comparison of allergic diseases and specific IgE antibodies in different parts of Japan.

We investigated the differences of allergic diseases and specific IgE antibodies to inhaled or ingested allergens between two cities in a Japanese pediatric population. One of the two cities is Itoman, which is a subtropical city in Okinawa prefecture; the other is Gifu, which is a Temperate Zone city in Gifu prefecture. The prevalence of asthma or wheezy bronchitis was significantly higher in Itoman; however, the prevalence of atopic dermatitis was significantly higher in Gifu.

Comparison of the MAST chemiluminescent assay system with RAST and skin tests in allergic children.

The MAST chemiluminescent assay (CLA) system uses enzyme-linked antihuman IgE and a chemiluminogenic substance to determine specific IgE antibodies. The MAST CLA system therefore not only makes unnecessary the precautions required for handling isotopic materials but has the advantage of long-term reagent stability. The MAST CLA system assay protocol consists of three steps: overnight incubation of serum, a 4-hour incubation with enzyme-labeled antibody, and a 30-minute chemiluminescent reaction, which produces a visible image (immunograph) on high-speed instant Polaroid film.

Goldberg-Shprintzen syndrome: Hirschsprung disease, hypotonia, and ptosis in sibs.

We describe a brother and sister with Hirschsprung disease, hypotonia, and ptosis. Their condition resembles that in 2 sibs reported by Goldberg and Shprintzen. We conclude that the clinical characteristics in 8 reported cases with similar clinical manifestations represent a distinct autosomal recessive syndrome, Goldberg-Shprintzen syndrome.