Treatment of acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in hospitalised patients--a comparison of meropenem and imipenem/cilastatin. COPD Study Group.

Meropenem and imipenem/cilastatin were compared in an open, randomised prospective multicentre study in the treatment of acute exacerbations of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in hospitalised patients. One-hundred-and-seventy-three patients were enrolled; 164 were evaluable for clinical efficacy and 98 for bacteriological efficacy, with 144 pathogens isolated. The predominant pathogens were Haemophilus influenzae (n = 30), Streptococcus pneumoniae (18), Staphylococcus aureus (12), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11), Moraxella catarrhalis (8), other Gram-negative bacteria (Neisseria, Klebsiella, Proteus, and Enterobacter spp.

[Determination of individual lipid parameters in non-chylous pleural effusions].

Levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were measured in the pleural effusions and the corresponding serum from 52 patients suffering from non-chylous pleural effusions with different genesis. Significantly higher concentrations of lipids were found in exudates in comparison to transudates. The highest levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides were found in effusions with malignant and pneumonia genesis.

[Value of modern study methods in the early diagnosis and assessment of asbestosis].

Results of examinations among 31 asbestos-workers with pleural hyalinosis are presented. The hyalinosis was ascertained by means of pleuroscopy and computed tomography. The value of both methods and special function tests in asbestosis is discussed.