The effects of smoking on the lungs.

The literature relating to tobacco smoking has been reviewed and is discussed under a number of headings. The smoking habits of Australians and people of other countries, the constituents of tobacco smoke and the different types of tobacco are discussed. The effects of tobacco smoke on lung defences and and function are outlined and the evidence relating cigarette smoking to lung cancer in Australia, the UK and the USA is reviewed.

Cigarette smoking in a cohort of Sydney schoolchildren: 1971--1974.

Cigarette smoking habits of a cohort of Sydney schoolchildren aged 12--13 years in 1971 have been recorded for four years. Smoking prevalence increases steadily over those years, 2.3% of boys and 0.

Cigarette smoking in Sydney schoolchildren aged 12 to 13 years: 1971 to 1975.

The cigarette smoking prevalence of schoolchildren aged 12 to 13 years in 1975 was compared with that in an age-matched sample interviewed in 1971. Identical methods were used to collect the smoking prevalence data. There was an increase in smoking prevalence over the years 1971 to 1975, with 22-5% of boys smoking one or more cigarettes per week in 1975 compared with 14% in 1971 and with 19-1% of girls smoking this number in 1975 compared with 4-6% in 1971.

HLA and bird breeder's hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

HLA antigen status was assessed in non-related individuals and related family members with bird breeder's hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). 35% of 20 non-related patients carried HLABW40 compared to 10% of 861 normal controls (p less than 0.001, Pc less than 0.

Bird breeder's hypersensitivity pneumonitis: progress studies of lung function after cessation of exposure to the provoking antigen.

Lung function and immunologic studies have been performed in 9 patients with bird breeder's hypersensitivity pneumonitis at the time of diagnosis and at intervals from 8 to 30 months after they ceased exposure to the provoking antigen. All 9 patients had evidence of small airway obstruction at the time of diagnosis. Complete recovery of lung function occurred in 4 patients.

Lung function in asymptomatic cigarette smokers--the single breath nitrogen test.

The modified single breath nitrogen (SBN) test and simple spirometry were used to study the lung function (LF) of 101 asymptomatic, cigarette smoking and 20 non-smoking men aged 18 to 39 years. Abnormal LF was demonstrated in 39% of smokers. An abnormal SBN test was found in 28% of the light and 56% of the heavy smokers but only 3% were spirometrically abnormal.

Immediate hypersensitivity: a clinical review.

Diseases in which immediate hypersensitivity (IH) reactions occur, (asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema) are very common in Australia although their overall prevalence is unknown. Until recently the clinical investigation of IH has been undertaken almost exclusively by allergists using scratch tests. The discovery of Ige by Ishizaka et al.

Familial hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Two families are described in which seven members of a total of 19 were found to have hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to exposure to avian antigens. Diagnosis was made on the basis of characteristic roentgenologic changes together with respiratory function and immunologic studies. The latter included screening for precipitins, macrophage migration inhibition (MMI) to specific antigens in avian serum and droppings, quantitation of immunoglobulin and alpha1 antitrypsin (AAT) levels and assessment of the complement system.

Veno-arterial difference in alpha 1 -antitrypsin levels.

alpha(1)-Antitrypsin levels, determined by radial immunodiffusion, were found to be higher in the venous than in the arterial blood of patients with pulmonary infections and in patients with obstructive airflow diseases. Large differences occurred in patients with both abnormalities. No difference was found in patients with other kinds of lung disease or in patients without lung disease.