[The efficacy of the Zirtek (cetirizine) preparation in chronic recurrent urticaria and seasonal allergic rhinitis].

Clinical trials of a new histamine H1-blocker of the III generation zyrtec (cetirizine) manufactured in Belgium (UCB) demonstrated its high efficacy in pollenosis and chronic idiopathic urticaria. The drug has the advantage of a rapid absorption (a marked antihistamine effect occurs 2 hours upon administration), the action duration (24 hours), convenient regimen (once a day), the absence of CNS effects such as sleepiness, ow attention, reduced memory and discoordinated movements.

[Levels of interferon-dependent enzymes in urticaria patients, connected with frequent viral infections].

27 patients with relapsing and giant urticaria accompanied by multiple general respiratory viral infection and herpetism were studied during acute and remittent steps as compared with 13 healthy volunteers. 10 patients were treated with reaferon. Elevated rates of circulating interferon and interferon-dependent enzymes as well as a decreased ability of leukocytes and lymphocytes to produce alpha- and gamma-interferons were detected in these patients.

[The immunomodulating effect of sodium nucleinate in chronic infectious-allergic urticaria].

Based on clinical, laboratory, bacterial, allergologic and immunologic studies a group of patients with infectious allergic urticaria (IAU) was distinguished. The immunologic examination of 30 patients with IAU identified a decrease in phagocytosis. Sodium nucleinate (SN) was employed as an immunomodulator as compared to placebo.

[Disordered interferon status in patients with urticaria and angioneurotic edema against a background of frequent ARVI: its correction with reaferon].

The results of clinical, allergological, virological, and immunological examinations of patients with urticaria and angioneurotic edema against the background of frequent ARVI are presented. Disorders in the interferon system in these patients were studied. A positive anti-recurrent effect of prophylactic parenteral course of a national recombinant alpha 2-interferon (reaferon) in this pathology has been demonstrated.