Interleukin-4 suppresses antifungal activity of human mononuclear phagocytes against Candida albicans in association with decreased uptake of blastoconidia.

Pathogenesis of invasive candidiasis may involve regulatory activities of Th2 immunity on phagocytic host defenses. The effects of interleukin (IL)-4 on antifungal capacity of human mononuclear phagocytes against Candida albicans were studied. Incubation of adherent mononuclear leukocytes from healthy donors with IL-4 (1-5 ng ml(-1)) at 37 degrees C for 2-4 days suppressed uptake of C.

IL-10 exerts suppressive and enhancing effects on antifungal activity of mononuclear phagocytes against Aspergillus fumigatus.

Invasive aspergillosis has emerged as a frequent and serious infection in immunocompromised patients. We studied the effects of human IL-10 on antifungal activity of monocytes (MNCs) from healthy adults against Aspergillus fumigatus after incubation with IL-10 at 37 degrees C for 2 to 4 days. IL-10 (2-20 ng/ml)-pretreated MNCs exhibited approximately 40% suppression of superoxide anion (02-) production in response to PMA and FMLP (p < or = 0.

Plasma exchange (PE) treatment in drug-induced toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN).

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) or Lyell's syndrome is a rare fulminating skin disease notorious for its rapidly progressive course and high mortality rate. TEN is characterized by the sudden onset of epithelial necrosis of skin with frequently associated involvement of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tract and bronchopulmonary linings. We describe the clinical course of five patients with severe drug-induced TEN, treated with PE.

Familial hypobetalipoproteinaemia.

Familial hypobetalipoproteinaemia is a rare condition and is usually asymptomatic in heterozygotes. We report a case of hypobetalipoproteinaemia in an 8-month-old boy presenting with diarrhoea and failure to thrive since birth, who has been successfully treated with dietary restriction and large oral doses of vitamin E. This disease is one of the causes of chronic diarrhoea in childhood and its early treatment probably prevents irreversible retinal and nervous system lesions in later life.

Factors affecting the peak expiratory flow rate in children.

Standing height and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) were measured in 339 British schoolchildren aged 7-16 years. Enquiry was made into a past history of wheeze or atopy, a family history of asthma or atopy, or a cold within the preceding 2 weeks. A strong correlation was found between PEFR and height, expressed by the equation PEFR = 5.

Unexpectedly high peak expiratory flow rates in normal Greek children.

Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and standing height (Ht) were measured in 522 healthy Greek children aged 7-16 years. The regression equation of PEFR on height in centimetres was PEFR = 5.34 Ht--380.

Granulosa-theca-cell tumour in a 17-month-old girl.

A granulosa-theca-cell tumour in a 17-month-old girl with isosexual precocity and hirsutism is described. Following removal of the tumour, pubertal signs and hirsutism gradually subsided. Serum alpha-fetoprotein was very high (1800 ng/ml) before, but not any longer detectable after the removal of the tumour and on repeated measurements for the subsequent 34 months, at which time the clinical condition of the child has been very good.

Pseudo-vitamin D deficiency rickets: report of a case.

A 19-month-old boy with repeated convulsions from the age of 7 months was found to have pseudo-vitamin D deficiency rickets. The convulsions were attributed to hypocalcaemia which is one of the main features of this type of rickets. High doses of vitamin D produced clinical, biochemical and radiographic cure.

Defective neutrophil chemotaxis and hyperimmunoglobulinemia E in a child with recurrent infections.

The clinical and immunologic features of an adolescent boy with recurrent pyogenic infections are presented. A cellular defect in neutrophil chemotaxis, hyperimmunoglobulinemia E, and a negative delayed cutaneous reaction to antigen from Candida albicans were found.

Raised IgA in idiopathic pulmonary haemosiderosis.

Levels of immunoglobulin G, A, and M were studied in 31 children with idiopathic pulmonary haemosiderosis and in 35 relatives. A selective increase in serum IgA was observed in the patients. IgA levels in saliva did not show any difference compared with those of normal children.

Aspiration due to difficulty in swallowing.

The swallowing mechanism after a propyliodone (`dionosil') swallow was studied in 44 infants, aged 6 days to 6 months, who were admitted during a 6-month period to the Paediatric Clinic of Athens University because of choking spells during feedings or persistent vomiting. Twenty-three infants showed aspiration of the opaque material into the tracheobronchial tree. The incidence of aspiration was very high.