Abatement of Sézary syndrome lesions following treatment with acyclovir.

Sézary syndrome is a malignant form of cutaneous T cell lymphoma in which patients characteristically present with generalized pruritic erythroderma and large numbers of circulating Sézary cells in the peripheral blood. Several previous studies have proposed that viruses may play a role in the cause of cutaneous T cell lymphoma. This report describes a 68-year-old man with Sézary syndrome who received a seven-day course of intravenous acyclovir for treatment of disseminated herpes zoster and was noted to have almost complete disappearance of generalized erythroderma and pruritus.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in patients with cerebrovascular ischemic disease.

We studied 137 patients who were treated with heparin for cerebral infarction (73), partially reversible ischemic neurologic deficit (22), or transient ischemic attack (42). Platelet counts were performed before therapy, twice weekly, and at cessation of therapy. Platelets decreased in 118 patients (86%).

Pain syndromes associated with cancer. Achieving effective relief.

Pain occurs frequently in patients with cancer and, if uncontrolled, may lead to depression, deep anxiety, insomnia, and progressive mental and physical deterioration. Pain can be effectively relieved in the majority of cases by balanced use of pharmacologic agents and other treatment modalities, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. A thorough evaluation of the patient's complaints and an accurate diagnosis of the causes and mechanism of pain are mandatory for the formulation of an effective and individualized treatment plan.

Decreased T cell function in mice exposed to chronic, low levels of lead.

The immune responsiveness of mice given low levels of lead acetate (1300 p.p.m.

Active rosette-forming T cells in the elderly.

The numbers and percentages of active rosette-forming T cells were measured in two age groups, to assess the effects of aging. The study included 21 healthy persons in the 20--40 age group and 25 persons without major disease in the 60--85 age group. In the younger subjects the number of rosette-forming cells (RFC) averaged 1430 +/- 463/cu mm (mean and S.