[Pneumothorax caused by histiocytic pneumonitis].

Specimens from the lung obtained during the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax revealed a hitherto unknown histological phenomenon characterised by a histiocytic, inflammatory interstitial pulmonary tissue containing gas. By following the course of the gas an intracellular pathogen could be identified in the macrophages. Its shape resembled that of micrococci, ist size was between 2-4 microns.

Long-term study of cloprednol in asthmatic patients.

Cloprednol was used in 18 steroid-dependent patients with chronic reversible bronchial obstruction over a period of 2 years with respect to HPA-axis function and effect on their clinical status. Patients were treated with a single morning dose of 5-12.5 mg orally.

Efficacy, safety and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function in patients with asthma treated with cloprednol.

Cloprednol was tested in 25 patients with chronic reversible bronchial obstruction, with respect to changes in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function and its efficacy on their clinical asthma. Patients were treated by a single morning dose for a 6-month period. The HPA axis function as estimated by fasting plasma cortisol levels did not show any significant changes, but adrenal response, assessed by ACTH stimulation test, was found slightly less at 6 months than at 3 months and at baseline.