Bronchiolitis obliterans-organizing pneumonia: an Italian experience.

The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical features at onset and outcome and the diagnostic approach in subjects with bronchiolitis obliterans-organizing pneumonia (BOOP). Over a 7-year period we observed 78 cases of biopsy-proven bronchiolitis obliterans-organizing pneumonia, in which well documented clinical and radiographic data were available. The final diagnosis of BOOP was validated when patients presented: (i) negative microbiological analysis on BAL fluid; (ii) a well documented improvement either spontaneous, or after steroid treatment or (iii) cases with progressive respiratory failure and increasing radiographic shadows, an open lung biopsy or autopsy that excluded other entities.

The diagnostic value of bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial lung biopsy in cryptogenic organizing pneumonia.

In order to determine the diagnostic value of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) in cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) a prospective study was carried out. Thirty seven consecutive patients (20 males and 17 females) with clinicoradiological features of COP were enrolled in the study. The statistical analyses were completed in 35 cases.

Preliminary results in HIV-1-infected patients treated with transfer factor (TF) and zidovudine (ZDV).

The efficiency of HIV-1 specific transfer factor (TF) administration, combined with Zidovudine (ZDV), in asymptomatic persistent generalised lymphadenopaty, or AIDS related complex (ARC) patients was evaluated. Twenty patients were randomly assigned to receive only ZDV (1st group) or ZDV together with HIV-1-specific TF (2nd group). HIV-1-specific TF was administered orally at 2 x 10(7) cell equivalent daily for 15 days, and thereafter once a week for up to 6 months.

[Changes in the cell-mediated immune system in post-traumatic sepsis].

Objective: We studied the alterations of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in polytrauma patients and its relation with sepsis.

Design: a prospective study.

Setting: ICU, Ospedale Maggiore, Bologna (Italy).