Pulmonary and disseminated Mycobacterium simiae infection in humans.

Three patients with Mycobacterium simiae infection were seen during a 5-yr period. One patient with chronic infiltrative pulmonary disease had the diagnosis established by open lung biopsy. Two patients with normal chest roentgenograms had disseminated infection, one having had elective surgery for a nonfunctioning kidney.

Heat treatment for certain chronic granulomatous skin infections.

Four cases of chronic granulomatous skin infections (two due to Sporothrix schenckii and two to Mycobacterium marinum) were treated primarily by the intermittent application of local hyperthermia. This treatment was initiated either because of intolerance to conventional iodide therapy for sporotrichosis or as interim therapy while awaiting diagnosis of the mycobacterial infections. The response indicated that the application of heat is a useful adjunct to the therapy of these infections.

Depressed mitogen responsiveness of lymphocytes at skin temperature.

The responsiveness of murine lymphocytes and human peripheral blood lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A, pokeweed mitogen, and endotoxin was tested in vitro at 32, 35, and 37 degrees C. The responses at 32 degrees C were delayed and often depressed. Mouse cells responded equally well at 35 and 37 degrees C.

Legionnaires' disease. A sporadic case.

A patient with Legionnaires' disease developed consolidated pneumonia with severe hypoxemia and mental confusion; his condition improved with therapy with positive end-expiratory pressure, steroids, and chloramphenicol. The retrospective diagnosis was made by a fourfold rise in indirect fluorescent antibody titers. The chest x-ray films showed bilateral alveolar infiltrates and air bronchograms.

Correlation between date of birth and pollen sensitivity.

Attempts by previous investigators have failed to show significant correlation between seasonal pollens and the birth dates of individuals as evidence for the development of tolerance in immunologically immature neonates. Using a large clinic population with adequate controls, significant correlation between ragweed, grass or tree pollen sensitivity and the dates of birth was not obtained.