[Prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (primary prevention and secondary prevention)].

Cigarette smoking is the major risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The prevention of smoking initiation among teenagers and the encouragement of smoking cessation among smokers lead to preventing the onset and progression of COPD. Smoking cessation is the single most effective- and cost-effective-way to reduce the risk of developing COPD and stop its progression.

[A discrepancy in the values of serum (1-3)-beta-D-glucan measured by two kits using different methods].

The measurement of serum (1-3)-beta-D-glucan (beta-glucan) in cases with deep seated mycosis is a useful diagnostic method. Beta-glucan has usually been measured using two different methods: by an alkali treatment, chromogenic automated kinetic assay (chromogenic assay), and by detergent dilution and heating methods, kinetic turbidimetric assay (turbidimetric assay). However, there are often large discrepancies in the beta-glucan values measured by these two methods.

[Smoking as a risk factor for COPD and prognosis after smoking cessation].

Cigarette smoking is the major risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Smokers have higher death rates for COPD and they also have a higher prevalence of lung function abnormalities. Smoking is associated with a greater annual rate of decline in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1).

[Sulbactam/ampicillin-induced pneumonitis].

We report on two patients with sulbactam/ampicillin (SBT/ABPC)-induced pneumonitis. Both patients were being treated with SBT/ABPC for respiratory-tract infections. Following the initiation of SBT/ABPC chemotherapy, however, chest X-ray films showed a shift of shadow in patient 1 and new pulmonary infiltration shadows in patient 2.

Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in patients with diffuse panbronchiolitis and COPD.

Study Objectives: To determine the possible association of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection with diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) and with COPD.

Design: Prospective case-control study.

Setting: Division of Respiratory Diseases, Kawasaki Medical School Hospital.

[Adverse reactions of antituberculous agents].

We experienced adverse reactions to antituberculous agents in 17 patients (53%) out of 32 patients treated for tuberculosis and nontuberculous pulmonary mycobacteriosis. Side effects were seen in 15 patients (47%), and abnormal laboratory findings were observed in 9 patients (28%). Most side effects mostly appeared within two weeks after the administration, and were of short duration.

Chlamydia pneumoniae and exacerbations of asthma in adults.

Background: Chlamydia pneumoniae is a frequent causative agent of acute respiratory disease and has been recently reported as a possible cause of asthma.

Objective: We assessed the prevalence of C. pneumoniae infections in adult patients with acute exacerbations of asthma.

[A case of pulmonary zygomycosis caused by Cunninghamella bertholletiae].

Cunninghamella bertholletiae, a rare causative agent of human deep seated mycosis, has been reported with increased frequency in the Western countries, in recent years. We experienced a case of Cunninghamella bertholletiae pulmonary infection in a 63-year-old male with pulmonary fibrosis and mild diabetes mellitus. In spite of intensive anti-fungal chemotherapy following clinical diagnosis, he died of exacerbation of the underlying diseases.

[Home oxygen therapy in the elderly].

Between 1984 and September 1995, we prescribed home oxygen therapy for 155 patients (96 men and 59 women), mean age 68.6 years) with chronic respiratory failure. Here we describe the underlying diseases, laboratory findings (arterial blood gas analysis and pulmonary-function tests), and outcomes.