Bid activation during induction of extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis in eosinophils.

Eosinophils readily undergo apoptosis when removed from a physiological environment via activation of the intrinsic cell death pathway. This can be further enhanced by certain chemicals (for example, glucocorticoid), or by extrinsic means (that is, Fas receptor engagement). In this investigation, we examined the relative importance of these pathways in cultured human peripheral blood eosinophils in the context of expression and activation of the BH3-only Bcl2 homologue Bid.

Use of methotrexate in sarcoid-associated optic neuropathy.

Objective: To demonstrate the possible beneficial effects of methotrexate (MTX) therapy for patients with sarcoid-associated optic neuropathy (SAON).

Design: Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series.

Participants: Three patients diagnosed with SAON who received MTX.

Atypical mycobacterial osteomyelitis in a non-AIDS patient.

Disseminated Mycobacterium avium intercellulare (MAI) infection is rare in non-AIDS patients. We report a 60-year-old woman with chronic lung disease who developed vertebral osteomyelitis due to MAI. She was treated successfully with combined therapy consisting of rifampin, ethambutol, and clarithromycin.