Bronchiolitis obliterans-organizing pneumonia: an Italian experience.

The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical features at onset and outcome and the diagnostic approach in subjects with bronchiolitis obliterans-organizing pneumonia (BOOP). Over a 7-year period we observed 78 cases of biopsy-proven bronchiolitis obliterans-organizing pneumonia, in which well documented clinical and radiographic data were available. The final diagnosis of BOOP was validated when patients presented: (i) negative microbiological analysis on BAL fluid; (ii) a well documented improvement either spontaneous, or after steroid treatment or (iii) cases with progressive respiratory failure and increasing radiographic shadows, an open lung biopsy or autopsy that excluded other entities.

The diagnostic value of bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial lung biopsy in cryptogenic organizing pneumonia.

In order to determine the diagnostic value of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) in cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) a prospective study was carried out. Thirty seven consecutive patients (20 males and 17 females) with clinicoradiological features of COP were enrolled in the study. The statistical analyses were completed in 35 cases.

Preliminary results in HIV-1-infected patients treated with transfer factor (TF) and zidovudine (ZDV).

The efficiency of HIV-1 specific transfer factor (TF) administration, combined with Zidovudine (ZDV), in asymptomatic persistent generalised lymphadenopaty, or AIDS related complex (ARC) patients was evaluated. Twenty patients were randomly assigned to receive only ZDV (1st group) or ZDV together with HIV-1-specific TF (2nd group). HIV-1-specific TF was administered orally at 2 x 10(7) cell equivalent daily for 15 days, and thereafter once a week for up to 6 months.

[Changes in the cell-mediated immune system in post-traumatic sepsis].

Objective: We studied the alterations of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in polytrauma patients and its relation with sepsis.

Design: a prospective study.

Setting: ICU, Ospedale Maggiore, Bologna (Italy).

[Zinc and lymphocyte subsets in patients with HIV infection].

Serum zinc levels were assayed in patients with AIDS and related syndromes, using spectrophotometry and atomic absorption. Statistical data have shown that serum zinc levels, in addition to being significantly lower (p less than 0.001) among different groups and controls, decrease progressively with the worsening of the clinical and immunological picture from LAS to AIDS.

A clinical-immunological evaluation of AIDS cases and related syndromes.

The clinical features of our cases demonstrated some of the already known characteristics of the variable spectrum of HIV infection. DA are the most important risk category in Italy. 10% of the ARC cases evolved into AIDS during a 12-month follow-up, on average.

Serum protease inhibitors in acute viral hepatitis.

Serum levels of alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1-AT) and alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2-M) and, as controls, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (alpha 1-AG) and haptoglobin were evaluated by means of laser nephelometry in 17 patients with acute viral hepatitis (AVH) type A, 16 with AVH-B, 12 with AVH-NANB and 8 with fulminant hepatitis B. On admission, alpha 1-AT levels were elevated in one third of AVH-A and AVH-B cases, but subsequently declined; alpha 2-M levels were elevated in about 40% of AVH-B patients during the 2nd, 3rd and 4th week after admission. No significant correlation was found between elevated levels of protease inhibitors and aminotransferase values or drug addiction and delta coinfection.

[Nosology of contraceptives: hematological and ultrastructural observations after experimental administration of low dosage contraceptives (author's transl)].

A further experimental study on changes produced in rabbits by low dosage contraceptives is presented. The administration has been continued for six months. Serum biochemical and hepatic ultrastructural findings are in agreements with literature data.