舌下滴入多价细菌疫苗对支气管哮喘合并反复呼吸道感染儿童疗效观察

目的　探讨支气管哮喘合并反复呼吸道感染(RRI)经规律吸入糖皮质激素(ICS)控制不理想的儿童联用多价细菌疫苗(兰菌净)的临床疗效及安全性。方法　采用随机、双盲法将2 0 0 1年6月至2 0 0 2年6月在广州医学院第一附属医院及呼吸病研究所收治的4 8例哮喘合并RRI经系统ICS治疗控制不佳的患儿分为2组,分别给予舌下滴入兰菌净或安慰剂治疗,观察两组患儿RRI及哮喘临床症状、血清IgA及唾液分泌型IgA(sIgA)水平及可能出现的不良反应。血清IgA及唾液sIgA采用单向免疫扩散法检测。结果　与安慰剂组比较,兰菌净组呼吸道感染次数、发热天数、抗生素使用天数、咳嗽及气喘发作天数均减少,差异有显著性(P均<0 0 5 )。兰菌净组治疗后血清IgA及治疗后第1、2、3个月唾液sIgA与治疗前比较均显著升高(均P <0 . 0 5 ) ,而治疗后第6个月唾液sIgA与治疗前比较差异无显著性(P >0 .0 5 )。安慰剂组治疗后血清IgA及唾液sIgA与治疗前比较差异均无显著性(均P >0 . 0 5 )。两组不良事件发生率及脱落率差异均无显著性(均P >0. 0 5 )。结论　哮喘合并RRI经ICS控制不理想儿童联用多价细菌疫苗(兰菌净)能有效预防RRI ,从而减少哮喘发作的次数,减轻哮喘严重程度。多价细菌疫苗(兰菌净)安全性好、使用方便,值得推广应用。     

细菌溶解产物对5岁以下反复呼吸道感染伴喘息患儿疗效观察

目的观察5岁以下反复呼吸道感染(RRTIs)合并喘息、经常规吸入糖皮质激素(ICS)治疗仍控制不理想的患儿,口服细菌溶解产物治疗的有效性和安全性。方法 2013年1月至2014年12月,采用前瞻、随机、单盲、安慰剂对照方法,将上海市静安区中心医院门诊40例≤5岁的RRTIs合并喘息、ICS治疗控制不佳的患儿分别纳入治疗组(20例)和对照组(20例),治疗组给予加服细菌溶解产物,对照组则给予加服安慰剂。观察两组患儿治疗前及治疗后3、6、12个月的临床疗效及不良事件发生情况,并检测相应窗口期唾液分泌型Ig A(s Ig A)水平变化。结果观察期间,治疗组患儿喘息发作次数和症状评分均呈显著下降,唾液s Ig A较对照组有明显升高,且与外周血嗜酸性粒细胞百分比下降程度呈显著负相关。用药期间未见明显不良反应。结论细菌溶解产物可以提高唾液s Ig A的水平,增强机体呼吸道黏膜局部免疫能力,减少患儿反复呼吸道感染的概率,从而有效减少喘息发作。     

卡介菌多糖核酸注射液治疗反复呼吸道感染疗效观察

目的探讨卡介菌多糖核酸注射液治疗反复呼吸道感染(RRI)的疗效。方法对36例RRI患儿肌肉注射卡介菌多糖核酸注射液,隔日1次,1mL/次,18次为1个疗程。疗程结束后,门诊随访其呼吸道感染情况。结果34例(94.4%)在疗程结束后呼吸道感染的次数明显减少,病程明显缩短,广谱抗生素使用减少。结论卡介菌多糖核酸注射液对治疗RRI有良好疗效。     

苏州地区14994例儿童呼吸道感染细菌病原学特点

目的 了解儿童呼吸道感染的细菌病原学特点。方法 收集2005 年11 月至2014 年10 月连续9 年因呼吸道感染入住苏州大学附属儿童医院的14 994 例儿童的病例资料进行回顾性分析。结果 14 994 份呼吸道感染患儿的痰标本中,细菌培养阳性3 947 份,总阳性检出率为26.32%。第1 位细菌病原为肺炎链球菌(12.79%),其次为流感嗜血杆菌(5.02%)、卡他莫拉菌(2.91%)。在不同年份、不同季节、不同年龄段儿童细菌检出率差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。入院前未使用过抗菌药物的患儿痰细菌培养阳性率高于使用过抗菌药物的患儿(P<0.01)。院外病程<1 个月组、1~3 个月组及>3 个月组患儿痰培养细菌检出率差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。肺炎链球菌、卡他莫拉菌、鲍曼不动杆菌的阳性检出率随病程的延长呈上升趋势(P<0.05)。结论 肺炎链球菌是引起儿童呼吸道感染的最常见细菌病原,其次为流感嗜血杆菌和卡他莫拉菌。各种细菌在不同的年份、不同的季节、不同的年龄阳性检出率有差异。疾病病程与院外抗菌药物使用对细菌的阳性检出率有影响。     

中药鼻腔喷雾剂对易感儿童体液免疫的影响

探讨复合中药气雾喷鼻预防呼吸道感染作用机制。方法用酶联免疫和放射免疫技术分析２３４例患儿用药前后血液和唾液中ＩｇＧ及其亚类、ＩｇＡ、ＩｇＭ、ｓＩｇＭ的变化。结果干扰素组,黄芪＋动物脂多糖组,大青叶＋金银花＋鱼腥草组用经后血清ＩｇＧ、ＩｇＧ、亚类、ＩｇＡ和唾液ｓＩｇＡ与自身用药前相,均有显著性增高。     

核苷类似物防治接受化疗或免疫抑制剂治疗的儿童乙型肝炎病毒再激活临床分析

目的探讨核苷类似物(NAs)对接受化疗或免疫抑制剂治疗的慢性乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)感染儿童HBV再激活的治疗效果,以及治疗前使用抗病毒药物对HBV再激活的防治作用。方法选取2009年1月至2018年12月接受化疗或免疫抑制剂治疗的41例慢性HBV感染患儿作为研究对象。将规范使用化疗或免疫抑制剂治疗但未予以NAs预防性抗病毒的患儿设为对照组;将化疗或免疫抑制剂治疗前1～2周开始使用NAs且至少持续使用3个月的患儿设为预防组。观察两组患儿乙肝病毒再激活及肝功能情况。结果 41例患儿中18例发生HBV再激活,其中预防组16例患儿中有1例(6.3%)出现HBV再激活,对照组25例中17例(68.0%)HBV再激活,两组间再激活发生率差异有统计学意义(χ~2=18.72,P0.001)。预防组1例患儿因未规范化使用NAs出现再激活;对照组中出现HBV再激活后有11例患儿予NAs抗病毒治疗后9例HBV DNA下降,其中2例因继发感染后出现HBV DNA再次升高。结论所有需要使用化疗或免疫抑制剂的慢性HBV感染患儿在接受治疗前应常规筛查HBV血清学标志物、HBV DNA及肝功能。HBV再激活前预防性使用NAs和已经发生乙肝病毒再激活的患儿及时规范化使用NAs,对于减少HBV再激活的发生、改善临床预后、降低乙肝病毒复制及减轻肝功能损害有重要意义。     

C反应蛋白、免疫球蛋白和白细胞检测在急性呼吸道感染诊断中的价值

目的　对急性呼吸道感染患儿行C反应蛋白 (CRP)、白细胞及免疫球蛋白 (Ig)检测 ,旨在探讨其对急性呼吸道感染预防及鉴别诊断的价值。方法　白细胞用KS - 2 1血液分析仪测定 ,CRP和Ig采用速率散射比浊法 ,检测 137例呼吸道感染急性期血常规、CRP和Ig。结果　细菌感染组治疗前后CRP比较 ,差异具有极显著意义。呼吸道细菌感染组CRP与白细胞阳性率比较差异有统计学意义 (χ2 =14 .7　P均 <0 .0 0 5 )。细菌和病毒感染组Ig均明显下降。 结论　急性呼吸道感染患儿急性期CRP明显升高 ,可用于鉴别细菌和病毒感染。增强患儿免疫功能 ,是治疗和预防疾病的有效途径之一。     

2009甲型H1N1流感住院患儿159例分析

目的 探讨因甲型H1N1流感病毒感染住院患儿的临床特征.方法 2009年11月至2010年1月于首都儿科研究所附属儿童医院经实时逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PER)方法确诊的甲型H1N1流感住院患儿159例,男83例,女76例.设计临床资料观察表,逐一记录患儿的临床表现、实验室检查、影像学资料及治疗情况,并进行总结分析.结果 (1)住院患儿5岁以下者占87.4%,54例(34.0%)有基础疾病,婴幼儿组(<3岁,78例)和年长儿组(>3岁,81例)之间重症或危重病例(x2=0.105)、患肺炎比例(x2=0.212)及基础疾病比率(x2=3.383)相近(P均>0.05).(2)患儿均以流感样症状起病,以高热(115例,72.3%)、咳嗽(154例,96.8%)为主,5例危重症患者均出现呼吸困难、紫绀,血气有低氧血症.(3)H1N1流感病毒易侵犯下呼吸道,61.0%患儿出现肺炎,合并细菌感染者21.6%,并可同时有非典型病原体(20例,27.0%)及其他呼吸道病毒(5例,3.1%)感染.单纯甲型H1N1病毒感染组与混合感染组热程相近(t=0.975,P>0.05),混合感染组比单纯感染组更容易发生肺部炎症(x2=4.082,P<0.05),其平均病程及住院天数更长(t=3.182及3.190,P均<0.01).结论 绝大多数患者呼吸道症状轻微,少数病情进展呈现危重症表现.呼吸困难和低氧血症可作为危重症甲型H1N1流感早期症状识别的主要指标,除尽早给予抗病毒治疗外,继发细菌感染者还需覆盖常见病原菌的合理经验用药.     

血清维生素D水平与儿童反复呼吸道感染的关系

目的检测反复呼吸道感染(RRI)患儿血清25-羟维生素D3[25-(OH)D3]及IgA水平,并行维生素D(VitD)治疗,探讨VitD营养状况与儿童RRI及免疫功能的关系,为临床治疗提供依据。方法选取2010年10月-2011年4月在本院儿科门诊就诊的RRI患儿60例为病例组。年龄1～6(3.91±2.83)岁;男32例,女28例。将病例组随机分为常规治疗组30例和补VitD组30例,均予抗感染及对症治疗,补VitD组另进行补VitD治疗。随机选取同期到门诊体检的健康儿童30例为健康对照组。受检儿童均晨起空腹抽取静脉血3 mL 2份,离心,分离血清。ELISA法检测其血清25-(OH)D3水平,免疫透射比浊法检测其血清IgA水平,进行组间比较。病例组3个月时复查血清25-(OH)D3及IgA水平。病例组儿童随访6个月,观察并记录呼吸道感染的复发次数。结果1.病例组血清25-(OH)D3及IgA水平显著低于健康对照组,2组比较差异均有统计学意义(Pa<0.01)。2.采用不同的方法治疗后补VitD组25-(OH)D3及IgA水平升高,常规治疗组和补VitD组RRI次数比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论 RRI患儿血清25-(OH)D3及IgA水平低于健康儿童,低水平25-(OH)D3与RRI有关,提示对RRI患儿应重视VitD的补充。     

肺炎支原体肺炎不同药物治疗的疗效观察及随访

目的：探讨肺炎支原体肺炎最佳治疗药物及随访情况。方法：15 9例肺炎支原体肺炎分别给予红霉素静脉滴注(静脉组)和阿奇霉素口服(口服组)治疗,比较疗效并随访。结果：静脉组2周内痊愈63例(72.4%),口服组2周内痊愈37例(51.4%),两组差异有显著性, P<0.05。1年后随访的157例患儿有44例(28.0%)出现反复呼吸道感染,静脉组占25例(28.7%),口服组占19例(27.1%),两组差异无显著性。病程≥4周的40例患儿中17例(42.5%)有反复呼吸道感染,而病程<4周的117例中仅27例(23.1%)有反复呼吸道感染,两组差异有显著性,P<0.05。结论：肺炎支原体肺炎静脉滴注红霉素的近期疗效优于阿奇霉素口服。部分患儿肺炎支原体肺炎痊愈后1年随访出现反复呼吸道感染,与初始治疗前的病程长短有关。     

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??Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of bacterial lysates in the treatment of recurrent respiratory infections with asthma in children less than or equal to 5 years old. Methods A total of 40 children with recurrent respiratory tract infections and asthma admitted between January 2013 and December 2014 in Jing’an District Centre Hospital of Shanghai were randomly divided into the treatment group??n=20?? with bacterial lysates??and the control group??n=20?? with placeto. The clinical efficacy was observed and secretory immunoglobulin A??sIgA?? in the saliva samples and percentages of eosinophils in peripheral blood were detected at the indicated time point after treatment of 0?? 3?? 6 and 12 months. Results The clinical symptom of asthma and the incidence of infection were significantly less in treatment group than those in control group. The level of sIgA was obviously increased in the saliva samples of treatment group and had negative correlation with percentage of eosinophils in peripheral blood. There was not any adverse event. Conclusion Bacterial lysates can be an effective adjuvant therapy for recurrent respiratory infections with asthma in children less than or equal to 5 years old by increasing the immunity?? decreasing respiratory tract symptom and reducing the incidence of asthma.     

Effect of glutamine supplementation on diarrhea, interleukin-8 and secretory immunoglobulin A in children with acute diarrhea

OBJECTIVE: Glutamine is an important fuel for rapidly dividing cells such as enterocytes and lymphocytes. Exogenous glutamine supplementation in catabolic states preserves intestinal mucosal structure and function, decreases bacterial translocation, and supports normal immunologic responses. This study was planned to assess the effect of glutamine supplementation on duration and severity of diarrhea and to assess its immunomodulatory effect by measuring serum interleukin-8 (IL-8) and salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in children with acute diarrhea. METHODS: In this placebo-controlled, double-blind and randomized trial, 6- to 24-month-old otherwise healthy children admitted to the Diarrheal Diseases Training and Treatment Center with acute diarrhea received either 0.3 g/kg/day of glutamine (n = 63) or placebo (n = 65) for 7 days. Serum IL-8 and sIgA levels were determined on admission and 7 days later. All cases were followed until the diarrheal episode ended. Anthropometric measurements and history of subsequent infectious diseases were monitored monthly for 3 months after treatment. RESULTS: Mean duration of diarrhea in the glutamine treated group was significantly shorter than that of the placebo group (3.40 +/- 1.96 days, 4.57 +/- 2.48 days, respectively; P = 0.004). No differences in serum IL-8 and sIgA were found between groups on admission or 1 week later. During 3 month follow-up, mean weight gain and incidence of infectious diseases were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Duration of diarrhea was shorter in children supplemented with glutamine. The beneficial impact of glutamine supplementation seems to be through effects on gastrointestinal mucosa rather than the host immune response.     

持续性和慢性免疫性血小板减少症的临床研究

目的探讨持续性免疫性血小板减少症(persistent ITP,pITP)和慢性免疫性血小板减少症(chronic ITP,cITP)患儿临床特征和疗效。方法对2002年12月-2009年12月间于我院诊断和治疗的pITP和cITP患儿103例的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果 (1)103例患儿中96.1%年龄分布在学龄前期及以后;男女性别比例为1.24∶1。(2)73.8%有诱因,其中上呼吸道感染占89.5%;患儿病原血清学IgM阳性率为45.0%,混合感染率为36.1%。(3)有黏膜出血者占61.2%,失血性贫血者占25.2%,以轻度贫血为主。就诊时血小板计数<25×109/L者占71.9%。黏膜出血组与非黏膜出血组的血小板计数比较差异无显著性;而血小板减少与贫血程度间比较差异亦无显著性(P>0.05)。(4)遵医嘱维持用药治疗者占59.2%,该组患儿黏膜出血的发生率(55.7%)低于维持间断治疗组(69.0%);而维持用药组患儿失血性贫血发生率(8.2%)显著低于间断治疗组(50.0%),差异有极显著性(χ2=23.034,P<0.001)。(5)单用激素组(79.7%)、激素+IVIG(静脉注射用人免疫球蛋白)组(78.6%)治疗有效率高于激素+VCR(长春新碱)组(40.0%);激素+IVIG与激素+VCR组间疗效差异有显著性(χ2=4.441,P=0.035);单用激素组与激素+VCR组间疗效差异有显著性(χ2=9.772,P=0.002)。结论 (1)pITP和cITP患儿主要见于学龄前期及学龄期儿童,性别差异不明显。(2)上呼吸道感染是儿童pITP和cITP发生的主要诱因,病毒感染在ITP病情反复中起着一定的作用。(3)pITP和cITP患儿出血程度较轻,血小板减少以重型、极重型居多;而出血表现、贫血程度与血小板减少间无相关性。(4)维持用药可减轻pITP和cITP患儿出血症状,降低失血性贫血发生率。(5)单用激素组、激素+IVIG组的治疗有效率显著高于激素+VCR组。     

Changes in salivary and fecal secretory IgA in infants under different feeding regimens

Background:  One of the causes of food allergy in infancy is assumed to be immunological immaturity of the intestinal tract. The purpose of the present study was to examine changes in salivary and fecal secretory IgA (sIgA) levels in infants under different feeding regimens to evaluate the immunological maturity of the intestinal tract.
Methods:  Thirty-four infants were enrolled at the beginning of the study, and 28 of them were followed up to 12 months of age. sIgA was measured on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Changes in the levels of salivary and fecal sIgA during the first 12 months of life were compared among formula-fed infants (F group), breast–formula-fed infants (BF group) and breast-fed infants (B group).
Results:  Salivary sIgA was detected in almost all neonates on the day of birth. Salivary sIgA was significantly higher in the F group than in the BF group at the age of 2 months ( P  < 0.05). Fecal sIgA appeared from day 2 and rapidly increased at 1 month of age in all groups. B group infants had significantly higher level of fecal sIgA than F group infants at 1 month of age ( P  < 0.05).
Conclusions:  The level of salivary sIgA hardly changed, whereas fecal sIgA was significantly influenced by intake of breast milk.     

美芬那敏铵糖浆消除或缓解儿童急性上呼吸道感染症状有效性和安全性的临床研究

目的以愈美甲麻敏糖浆为对照,评价美芬那敏铵糖浆消除或缓解儿童急性上呼吸道感染症状的有效性和安全性。方法应用随机、盲法、平行对照方法,在11个临床研究中心共纳入FAS分析患儿253例,试验组127例,最终纳入符合方案集(PPS)分析118例;对照组126例,纳入PPS分析116例。试验组服用美芬那敏铵糖浆,对照组服用愈美甲麻敏糖浆,遵医嘱连续服用不超过7 d,至少服用3 d。结果入组时两组的年龄、性别、急性上呼吸道感染评分等的差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。试验组急性上呼吸道感染症状缓解中位时间为51.0 h(95%CI:43.0~62.0 h),对照组为56.0 h(95%CI:48.0~64.0 h),差异无统计学意义(P0.05);校正中心和基线影响后,试验组非劣效于对照组;试验组与对照组急性上呼吸道感染症状积分差异无统计学意义(F=0.14,P=0.710);急性上呼吸道感染单项症状消失率,两组间差异均无统计学意义(P0.05);两组间依从性评价的差异无统计学意义(P0.05);试验组和对照组均各有7例不良事件,且均有1例判断为药物不良反应,不良反应发生率均为0.8%。结论美芬那敏铵糖浆在治疗儿童急性上呼吸道感染时能有效快速缓解症状,其疗效和安全性非劣效于传统药物愈美甲麻敏糖浆。     

High viral load and mild liver injury in children with hemophilia compared with other children with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

BACKGROUND: In adults with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, the severity of liver disease may be influenced by the mode of transmission. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the mode of transmission affects liver injury and viral load in children with chronic HCV infection, independent of duration of infection and/or HCV genotype. METHODS: Thirty-nine anti-HCV (EIA-2) positive patients, were divided into three groups: group 1, children with a history of blood transfusion (n = 9; age, 13.3+/-1.3 years), group 2, children with hemophilia (n = 19; age, 11.6+/-0.8 years); and group 3, children with maternal-fetal transmitted disease (n = 10; age, 4.7+/-1.1 years). Serum alanine aminotransferase, HCV viral load, HCV genotype, and liver histology were assessed. RESULTS: Serum HCV viral load was higher in group 2 (4.27+/-1.0x10(6) copies/ml; p = 0.006) than in group 1 (0.73+/-0.3x10(6) copies/ml) and in group 3 (0.83+/-0.2x10(6) copies/ml). Conversely, group 2 had less severe liver injury compared with children of similar age in group 1 (p = 0.022). Despite a shorter duration of infection, group 3 had liver injury similar to that in group 1. Hepatitis C virus genotype did not influence the level of viremia or liver injury. CONCLUSIONS: Although children with hemophilia exhibited a high HCV viral load, liver histopathology was less severe than in children who had acquired HCV by blood transfusion or maternal-fetal transmission. These observations support the need to investigate the role of host immune response rather than the virus per se in the pathogenesis of HCV infection in children.     

The severity of respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis in young infants in the United Arab Emirates

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) respiratory infections are very common during infancy and account for the majority of hospitalizations during the fall and winter seasons. Patients vary in the severity of their illnesses, with most hospitalized patients needing oxygen and intravenous fluids. The objective of this study was to assess in hospitalized patients the severity of the disease in relation to age. We compared children who were <90 days old with children who were >90 days old for the duration of oxygen therapy, maximum oxygen concentration used, duration of stay and duration of intravenous fluids. We conducted a retrospective case review of national children <2 years admitted to the pediatric ward at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City with RSV proven bronchiolitis/pneumonia over a 3-month period from 1 September to 30 November 2001. Morbidity for group 1 (birth-90 days) and group 2 (91 days-2 years) was compared by the Mann-Whitney U-test using duration of oxygen therapy, maximum oxygen concentration used, duration of stay and duration of intravenous fluids. Multiple regression for duration of oxygen therapy was tested using the following risk factors as predictors: age group (1 or 2), previous ventilation, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and prematurity. A total of 89 patients were admitted during this period. The mean age (SD) of group 1 (n = 28) and group 2 (n = 61) was 46.35 (25.57) days and 275.67 (156.79) days, respectively. The only statistically significant difference using the Mann-Whitney U-test was detected for duration of oxygen between the groups (p = 0.002). Using multiple regression, only age group acted as a predictor for duration of oxygen therapy (p < 0.001). This implies that the youngest children, group 1, are at a risk for prolonged oxygen therapy. Four patients from group 1 were admitted to the intensive care unit, of which two received ventilatory support. RSV respiratory infections affect infants <3 months old in a more severe form than older infants. Even though overall duration of stay was similar for both groups, young infants who in fact did require oxygen had a more protracted and severe illness compared with the older infants. This was evidenced by their longer duration of oxygen and more frequent need to be managed in the intensive care unit.     

Prospective follow-up and pulmonary functions from a placebo-controlled randomized trial of ribavirin therapy in respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis. Ribavirin Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: To determine any long-term differences in adverse effects and pulmonary function between infants with respiratory syncytial virus and lower respiratory tract infection who were treated with ribavirin and a control group. STUDY DESIGN: Long-term follow-up included enumeration of episodes of respiratory illness, wheezing, and pneumonia and, ultimately, administration of pulmonary function tests (PFTs). Pulse oximetry was done at each visit. During the first 3 years we conducted follow-up in the fall and spring. In years 4 and 5 we conducted 1 visit per year. During years 5 through 7 we conducted PFTs, and starting with year 7 a methacholine chloride challenge was done if forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was greater than 70% of predicted value. RESULTS: We prospectively enrolled (December 1983 to February 1985) in a randomized trial of ribavirin vs placebo children who were previously healthy, were premature, or had chronic pulmonary disease. One pulmonologist (R.F.; blinded) scored and interpreted the results of the PFTs. We studied 42 patients aged 1 to 33 months; 2 patients died (1 receiving ribavirin and 1 receiving placebo) and 5 patients receiving placebo were lost to follow-up; 35 patients (24 taking ribavirin and 11 taking placebo) attended 212 visits. Four patients were premature (3 in the ribavirin and 1 in the placebo group), and 3 of these had bronchopulmonary dysplasia (2 in the ribavirin and 1 in the placebo group). From years 1 to 3, there was more reactive airway disease, wheezing, and pneumonia in the placebo than in the ribavirin group (mean score, 22.3 for 12 placebo-treated patients vs. 15.8 for 23 ribavirin-treated patients; P = .07 by Kruskal-Wallis test); for all years, it was 22.0 for 11 placebo-treated patients vs. 16.0 for 22 ribavirin-treated patients (P = .10). After informed consent was given, 19 patients completed PFTs (13 receiving ribavirin and 6 receiving placebo); 7 of 13 ribavirin-treated patients (53%) had normal or mild PFT results vs. 0 of 6 placebo-treated patients (P = .04 by Fisher exact test). On methacholine challenge (7 ribavirin-treated patients and 5 placebo-treated patients), there was more reactivity in the placebo vs. the ribavirin group (exact P = .07). Scoring done by weighting for severity for 19 patients (13 ribavirin-treated patients and 6 placebo-treated patients) (even after correcting for asthma) showed a significant difference in favor of previously ribavirin-treated patients (exact P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: No outward effects were identified from ribavirin exposure. We observed no increase in reactive airway disease, wheezing, and pneumonia in the ribavirin compared with the placebo group. Weighted severity scores suggest long-term beneficial effect of ribavirin therapy; however, larger numbers should be evaluated.     

Elevated neonatal salivary anti-casein immunoglobulin A antibodies as an indicator of atopic risk

Elevation of salivary SIgA-anti-casein has been shown to occur in newborn infants at risk of allergy. The present study was designed to follow 158 infants over 3 years to relate the onset of clinical disease to SIgA levels at birth. Newborn infants were divided into 3 groups according to their risk of allergy: Group I, ( n = 62; no allergy risk); Group II, ( n -30; low allergy risk); Group III ( n = 66; high risk group). The groups were matched for smoking, social background, sex, and dietary habits of the patients. SIgA-anti-casein was determined by a direct ELIS A. During the first year 59 infants developed atopic diseases ( n = 37 of Groups I and II; n = 22 of Group III). After 3 years 37/61 infants of the high risk group had developed allergic symptoms. The frequency of atopic disease correlated with increased salivary antibody titers at birth (p < 0.05). 54% of infants with antibody titers > 250 EU/ml developed atopic symptoms at 1 year, 76% high risk infants with this titer developed atopic symptoms at 3 years of age. This study provides evidence that elevation of SIgA-anti-casein at birth not only reflects atopic risk as defined by cord blood IgE or family history, but correlates with the actual development of allergic disease during the first 3 years of life.