A broad range of human papillomavirus types detected with a general PCR method suitable for analysis of cutaneous tumours and normal skin.

A pair of degenerate PCR primers (FAP59/64) was designed from two relatively conserved regions of the L1 open reading frame of most human papillomaviruses (HPV). The size of the generated amplicon was about 480 bp. PCR using these primers was found capable of amplifying DNA from 87% (65/75) of the HPV types tested, its sensitivity being 1-10 copies for HPV-5, -20 and -30 clones.

Curettage-cryosurgery for non-melanoma skin cancer of the external ear: excellent 5-year results.

In this 5-year follow-up study, 60 auricular non-melanoma skin cancers, selected at a skin tumour clinic, were treated by a thorough curettage with different sized curettes followed by cryosurgery in a double freeze-thaw cycle. Tumours of the external auditory canal were excluded. Forty-seven basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), nine squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), three Bowen's disease and one basisquamous cancer were included.

Perianal streptococcal dermatitis. The possible protective role of alpha-streptococci against spread and recurrence of group A streptococcal throat infection.

Objective: To follow the spread of beta-haemolytic streptococci group A (GAS) within a family and examine the protective activity of normally occurring alpha-streptococci against GAS tonsillitis.

Design: Follow up of recurrent GAS throat infection within a family.

Setting: Intra familial spread of GAS.

Five-year results of curettage-cryosurgery of selected large primary basal cell carcinomas on the nose: an alternative treatment in a geographical area underserved by Mohs' surgery.

Mohs' micrographic surgery (MMS) is the recommended treatment for large basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) of the nose. This 5-year follow-up study attempts to evaluate whether curettage-cryosurgery (CC) could be an alternative therapy in a country where optimal resources for MMS are lacking. All patients with a primary nasal or perinasal BCC, 10 mm or larger in diameter, were assessed at a skin tumour clinic.

Loracarbef versus phenoxymethylpenicillin in the treatment of recurrent streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis.

Knowledge of the treatment of recurrent group A streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis has, so far, been based on studies of non-recurrent rather than recurrent episodes of the disease. This multicentre, double-blind, randomized trial was designed to compare the efficacy of loracarbef (200 mg twice daily) vs phenoxymethylpenicillin (penicillin V) (800/1000 mg twice daily) each for 10 days in the treatment of recurrent group A streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis. Among the 331 patients enrolled in the study, 265 were evaluable for efficacy.

Comparison of two low-dose one-week triple therapy regimens with and without metronidazole for cure of H. pylori infection.

Background: One-week triple therapy consisting of omeprazole 20 mg b.d., clarithromycin 250 mg b.

Recolonization with selected alpha-streptococci for prophylaxis of recurrent streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis--a randomized placebo-controlled multicentre study.

In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicentre study, 130 patients with recurrence of group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GAS) and clinical signs of pharyngotonsillitis were enrolled. The patients received antibiotic treatment for 10 days, followed by 10 days of alpha-streptococci-inhibitory to GAS-or placebo spray treatment. Patients taking antibiotic treatment for at least 9 days and using the spray for at least 5 days were included in the efficacy analysis.

The economic cost of a streptococcal tonsillitis episode.

Objective: To estimate the cost of a streptococcal tonsillitis episode from the data of a questionnaire.

Setting: Five primary health centres in the west of Sweden.

Participants: 101 consecutive patients treated for streptococcal tonsillitis.

Low dose, short-term triple therapy for cure of Helicobacter pylori infection and healing of peptic ulcers.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to confirm the efficacy and tolerability of a new, low dose, short-term triple therapy for cure of Helicobacter pylori infection, as suggested by Bazzoli, in a larger population.

Methods: On an "intention-to-treat" basis, 116 patients with active (n = 41) or healed (n = 47) peptic ulcer disease or ulcer-like dyspepsia (n = 28) and H. pylori infection received a 1-wk course of omeprazole 20 mg b.

Treatment of acute maxillary sinusitis--comparing cefpodoxime proxetil with amoxicillin.

In order to evaluate the clinical efficacy and tolerance of cefpodoxime proxetil, compared with that of amoxicillin in the treatment of acute bacterial maxillary sinusitis, a randomized, double-blind, parallel group comparative study was performed. A total of 286 adults patients were included at 12 centres, each treatment group consisting of 143 patients. Each patient was treated for 10 days and observed before and after treatment.

Alpha-streptococci as supplementary treatment of recurrent streptococcal tonsillitis: a randomized placebo-controlled study.

Recurrences are a common finding after antibiotic treatment of acute group A streptococcal tonsillitis. This has been attributed to several factors, among others a disturbed normal throat flora and especially a lack of alpha-streptococci. It thus seems logical in patients with recurrent streptococcal tonsillitis, to restore the normal alpha-streptococcal flora by reimplantation of alpha-streptococci.

Treatment of the mucosa with local anaesthetics in ulcerative colitis.

A new paradigm for the treatment of ulcerative colitis has recently been presented: Treatment of the mucosa with lidocaine (2%) enemas for prolonged periods. This therapy was introduced based on the hypothesis that hyperreactive autonomic nerves may play a pathogenetic role in the disease. One hundred consecutive patients have now been treated and the results presented.

Beta-lactamase production and bacterial tolerance in recurrent acute otitis media.

Different reasons for treatment failure or relapse of acute otitis media (AOM) have been suggested. In this study 38 children (8 treatment failures, 13 relapses of AOM within one month and 17 with a new AOM) were compared to 25 matching healthy children, regarding beta-lactamase producing bacteria and tolerance to penicillin V and ampicillin. Branhamella catarrhalis was the most common bacteria found in the nasopharynx and was isolated in 60% of children with AOM and in 48% of the control group.

Ear discharge after insertion of transmyringeal tubes.

The peroperative bacteriology and cytology of the middle ear have been studied in 103 ears in 65 children operated on due to longstanding secretory otitis media. Within one month postoperatively, 12 ears (12%) showed signs of infection with discharge from the tube. Ten out of these 12 ears showed peroperative growth of Hemophilus influenzae, Branhamella catarrhalis, pneumococci or staphylococci in the middle ear effusions, a significant difference compared to ears without postoperative discharge.

Peritonsillar abscess in spite of adequately performed tonsillectomy.

We describe a rare case of peritonsillar abscess in a woman, in spite of an adequately performed tonsillectomy 35 years earlier. Cultures from aspirated pus yielded a heavy growth of Streptococcus milleri and Bacteroides species. No remaining tonsillar tissue could be seen.

Vascular effects of topically applied bradykinin on the human nasal mucosa.

To evaluate the vascular effects of topically applied bradykinin on the human nasal mucosa, 13 asymptomatic hay fever patients and 11 non-allergic subjects were challenged with diluent or bradykinin in three increasing doses. Mucosal blood flow was determined with the 133Xenon wash-out method and expiratory peak flow measurements used to assess nasal airway resistance before and after challenge. Nasal symptoms were recorded.

Concentration of phenoxymethylpenicillin in tonsillar tissue.

Seventeen patients underwent tonsillectomy 55-120 min after receiving oral phenoxymethylpenicillin 12.5 mg/kg bodyweight. The penicillin concentration in serum and tonsillar tissue in each patient was determined by a microbial assay.

Topical treatment of ulcerative proctitis with lidocaine.

Rectal biopsy specimens from patients with ulcerative proctitis/proctosigmoiditis (UP/PS) were investigated immunocytochemically. In general, a changed mucosal innervation was demonstrated, with a marked increase in the number of nerve fibres and terminals with neuropeptide Y and tyrosine hydroxylase. In a few patients a hyperinnervation with VIPergic or SPergic nerves was seen.

Reflex activation in allergen-induced nasal mucosal vascular reactions.

Subjects with allergic rhinitis were challenged unilaterally with diluent and increasing doses of allergen. Challenge with the highest dose of allergen was also carried out after topical anesthesia of the nasal cavity using lidocaine. In the contralateral, unprovoked nasal cavity the mucosal blood flow was determined using the 133Xenon wash-out technique and the nasal airway resistance was determined by rhinomanometry before and after challenge.

The effect of topical nasal anaesthesia on allergen-induced symptoms, obstruction and blood flow.

The effect of topical anaesthesia on the nasal mucosa before and after allergen challenge was evaluated in 12 subjects with strictly seasonal allergic rhinitis. A single-blind randomized placebo-controlled design was used. The nasal challenge was carried out after pre-treatment of the nasal cavity with 52 mg of lidocaine/nasal cavity, or placebo applied topically in spray form.

Effects of topical treatment with H1 and H2 antagonists on clinical symptoms and nasal vascular reactions in patients with allergic rhinitis.

Fifteen asymptomatic subjects with allergic rhinitis participated in a double-blind, randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled study. The subjects were pretreated intranasally with a single dose of a selective H1 receptor antagonist, levocabastine, and/or selective H2 receptor antagonist, ranitidine, prior to a nasal allergen challenge. The nasal symptoms obtained at the challenge were assessed using a scoring technique 15 min after the allergen exposure.

Mucosal blood flow in the human nose following local challenge with histamine.

Nasal blood flow was measured using the 133Xe wash-out method in 10 non-allergic subjects and 13 asymptomatic hay fever patients. Determinations were made before and 15 min after challenge with diluent, 0.13 mg, 1.

Nasal mucosal blood flow after intranasal allergen challenge.

The nasal mucosal blood flow in patients with allergic rhinitis was determined at nasal allergen challenges with the 133Xenon washout method. Determinations were made in 12 subjects before and 15 minutes after challenge with diluent and increasing doses of allergen. The time course was followed in eight subjects by means of repeated measurements during 1 hour after a single allergen dose.

Is an increased vagal tone involved in the pathogenesis of gastroduodenal ulcers?

The purpose of this review is to examine the role of vagal influence on the regulation of gastric acid secretion in humans, and to answer the question as to whether there is any indication of increased vagal tonus being involved in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcers. Apart from the central importance of vagal influence on gastric acid secretion, there is no direct evidence for the existence of general vagal hyperactivity in peptic ulcer patients. Increased vagal activity can only be indirectly demonstrated for a subgroup of duodenal ulcer patients.