Impaired neutrophil response to acute bacterial infection in dialyzed patients.

The changes in WBC counts during various acute bacterial infections were studied in 11 dialyzed patients. There was substantial leukocytosis in only five of 17 episodes, despite conclusive clinical and bacteriologic evidence that the infection was caused by Gram-positive microorganisms. Segmented neutrophil counts also did not rise in most cases.

Phagocytosis and candidacidal activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in uremia.

The phagocytic and candidacidal functions of polymorphonuclear leukocytes were evaluated in uremic patients. Neutrophils were derived from 12 patients treated by regular hemodialysis, eight nondialyzed uremic patients (glomerular filtration rate less than 20 ml/min), and nine healthy subjects. The ability of the neutrophils, suspended in autologous plasma, to phagocytize and kill Candida albicans cells was determined in vitro.

Malrecognition of taste in uremia.

Impaired cognitive functions were reported in uremia. The purpose of this study was to quantify the functional state of taste in various stages of chronic renal failure. Taste sensitivity was assessed by asking the subjects to identify test solutions of sucrose ('sweet'), NaCl ('salty'), citric acid ('sour'), quinine ('bitter') and water presented randomly in five concentrations.

Long-term treatment of the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion with phenytoin.

A 68-year-old patient with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion secondary to basilary skull fracture was treated successfully with demeclocycline and phenytoin. Phenytoin, which was considered in the past only as a useful diagnostic tool, was given to the patient on a long-term basis. The drug reversed the patient's symptoms and abnormal laboratory values to normal limits without adverse reactions during a treatment period of 8 months.