Response of human mucociliary clearance to acute alcohol administration.

To determine whether alcohol inhibits mucociliary clearance in humans, the clearance of deposited radiolabelled particles from the lung was measured in 12 volunteers. On one study day, immediately after inhalation of aerosol, the subject ingested ethyl alcohol (0.5 g/kg) in orange juice producing an average alcohol level at 1 hr of 68 +/- 8 mg/kl.

Pulmonary function abnormalities in systemic lupus erythematosus responsive to glucocorticoid therapy.

A patient with systemic lupus erythematosus presented with moderately severe restrictive and obstructive ventilatory defects. Therapy with steroids was associated with gradual amelioration and eventual disappearance of the obstructive component. Gas exchange showed progressive improvement over four years of steroid therapy.

Respiratory failure due to Strongyloides stercoralis in a patient with a renal transplant.

We report a case of respiratory failure caused by Strongyloides stercoralis in a patient with a renal transplant; the respiratory failure showed dramatic response to therapy with thiabendazole. The clinical aspects of infestation with S stercoralis in the immunocompromised host are discussed, and features are demonstrated which may have significant implications concerning primary treatment and prophylaxis.