Prediction of upper respiratory tract bacteria in acute otitis media.

Conclusions: Thorough otomicroscopical examination of the tympanic membrane in acute otitis media (AOM) might distinguish AOM episodes caused by different bacteria. It thus might be a way to select appropriate treatment for each patient without raising the number of dangerous complications.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to see if it might be possible to predict the causative bacterium by judging the otomicroscopical appearance of the tympanic membrane in episodes of AOM.

Pathogens in acute otitis media--impact of intermittent penicillin V prophylaxis on infant nasopharyngeal flora.

Objective: To investigate whether intermittent short-term courses of penicillin V (PcV) administered as intermittent prophylaxis against acute otitis media (AOM) during upper respiratory tract infections altered the nasopharyngeal bacterial flora and/or its susceptibility to penicillin.

Methods: In a double blind, placebo controlled study 70 children (30 in the PcV group and 40 in the placebo group) were followed for 1 year. At episodes of upper respiratory tract infection the children were given PcV or placebo and then seen by one of the investigators within 3 days.

Short-term penicillin-V prophylaxis did not prevent acute otitis media in infants.

Objective: To determine whether prophylactic, short-term penicillin V treatment during upper respiratory tract infections can prevent the occurrence of recurrent acute otitis media in young children.

Methods: Seventy children were studied in a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. All children had suffered their first episode of acute otitis media before the age of 6 months.

Aetiology of acute epiglottitis in adults.

In order to determine the aetiology of acute epiglottitis in adults, blood cultures, paired sera and a urine sample were obtained from 54 patients with fever and epiglottitis visualized by indirect laryngoscopy or by direct fibreoptic nasolaryngoscopy. Antibodies were determined against the capsular polysaccharide of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), 3 pneumococcal antigens (a mixture of 23 capsular polysaccharides, C-polysaccharide and pneumolysin) and antistreptolysin O. Acute sera were examined by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for DNA of Hib and pneumococci.

Prevention of recurrent acute otitis media in otitis-prone children by intermittent prophylaxis with penicillin.

The question whether penicillin V (pcV) given intermittently upon signs of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) in otitis-prone children might prevent recurrent bouts of acute purulent otitis media (AOM) is addressed. As compared with continuous long-term antibiotic treatment as prophylaxis in otitis-prone children, intermittent administration would reduce the overall consumption of antibiotics. Seventy-six otitis-prone children less than 18 months of age were included in this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled multicentre study.

The significance of hypersensitivity to nuts in patients with birch pollen allergy.

This study was performed in patients with allergic rhinitis/conjunctivitis to birch pollen to determine whether patients with additional hypersensitivity to nuts and apples differed from patients without such hypersensitivity; the determination was in terms of results of skin prick test (SPT), specific IgE antibodies (RAST), and symptoms during the pollen season. Forty-seven patients with birch pollen allergy were investigated by RAST against birch and hazel pollen and by SPT. They were treated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with fluticasone propionate aqueous nasal spray or placebo.

DSCG eye drops in allergic rhino-conjunctivitis.

Thirty patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis were treated with eye drops containing 2% DSCG during the pollen season of 1977. Sixteen patients were treated with active substance and 14 with placebo. The results show a statistically significant difference in favour of the DSCG drops.