In vitro studies of the effect of methadone on natural killer cell activity.

Heroin addicts are reported to have numerous immunological abnormalities. The purpose of this study was to determine whether methadone, a long-acting synthetic opioid agonist used in the maintenance treatment of heroin addiction as well as in the treatment of chronic pain, alters natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity activity. We incubated human peripheral mononuclear cells with a wide concentration range (1 x 10(-13) to 1 x 10(-3) M) of (-) methadone, the active enantiomer of methadone, or with (+) methadone, the inactive enantiomer, prior to and during an assay of NK activity.

Natural killer cell activity and lymphocyte subsets in parenteral heroin abusers and long-term methadone maintenance patients.

We studied natural killer (NK) activity and lymphocyte subsets in 11 active parenteral heroin abusers, 11 long-term methadone-maintained former heroin abusers and 11 apparently healthy individuals. All subjects were males aged 23 to 49 and none had active infectious or inflammatory diseases. All current or former heroin abusers were seronegative for antibody to human immunodeficiency virus.

Effect of naloxone on the neuropsychiatric symptoms of a woman with partial adrenal 21-hydroxylase deficiency.

A woman with a schizophreniform syndrome, drug-induced dyskinetic movements, and partial adrenocortical 21-hydroxylase deficiency was given short-term treatment with naloxone, which ameliorated the psychiatric symptoms and eliminated the dyskinetic movements.

Angio-immunoblastic lymphadenopathy: a case with a 17-year follow-up.

A case of angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy with a 17-year follow-up is reported. The patient, who first presented with benign hypergammaglobulinaemic purpura of Waldenstrom and autoimmune haemolytic anaemia appears to be the longest survivor with this condition reported so far. The marked variations in the clinical course of patients with angio-immunoblastic lymphadenopathy in conjunction with immunological characteristics are discussed.

Multiple telangiectases preceding the appearance of undifferentiated bronchogenic carcinoma.

A patient with undifferentiated bronchogenic carcinoma, which was preceded by skin manifestations, namely telangiectases on the palms, soles, fingers, toes, lips and tongue, is described. It is possible that these multiple vascular lesions are one of the cutaneous markers of internal malignancy.

The Dyggve-Melchio-Clausen syndrome.

Two families with Dyggve-Melchior-Clausen syndrome are reported. In the first family, Jews from Morocco, six of 10 siblings are affected. In the second family, a consanguineous marriage of Arabs from Gaza, two of three children are affected.

Spondyloenchondrodysplasia. Enchondromatomosis with severe platyspondyly in two brothers.

Two brothers affected by enchondromatosis with marked involvement of the spine including platyspondyly were followed for 12 years. Both brothers were of short stature and normal intelligence. Vertebral involvement in multiple enchondromatosis is very rare.