Investigation of a new parameter in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: The percentage of large peripheral lymphocytes determined by the Hemalog D: Prognostic significance

The number of large peripheral lymphoid cells and the ratio of these large unstained cells to the total number of peripheral lymphocytes was determined by means of the Hemalog D in 57 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and in 100 control subjects. Although the absolute number of large unstained cells/mm³ is simply a reflection of peripheral lymphocytosis, the ratio large unstained cells to total lymphocyte count was shown to correlate with clinical staging. In control subjects, this ratio ranged from 3.2 per cent to 11.2 per cent. In those with CLL it was < 11.2 per cent in 43 patients and > 11.2 per cent in 14 patients. These 14 patients corresponded statistically to patients with advanced disease in our clinical staging system (stages III and IV). An increase in the large unstained cells to total lymphocyte ratio is therefore a statistical criterion of poor prognosis.     

Emphysema in the renal allograft

Two diabetic patients in whom emphysematous pyelonephritis developed after renal transplantation are described. Clinical recognition of this unusual and serious infection is masked by the effects of immunosuppression. Abdominal radiographic, ultrasound, and computed tomography findings are discussed. The clinical presentation includes urinary tract infection, sepsis, and acute tubular malfunction of the allograft in insulin-dependent diabetics.     

Frequency of spontaneous mutations that confer antibiotic resistance in Chlamydia spp

Mutations in rRNA genes (rrn) that confer resistance to ribosomal inhibitors are typically recessive or weakly codominant and have been mostly reported for clinical strains of pathogens possessing only one or two rrn operons, such as Helicobacter pylori and Mycobacterium spp. An analysis of the genome sequences of several members of the Chlamydiaceae revealed that these obligate intracellular bacteria harbor only one or two sets of rRNA genes. To study the contribution of rRNA mutations to the emergence of drug resistance in the Chlamydiaceae, we used the sensitivities of Chlamydia trachomatis L2 (two rrn operons) and Chlamydophila psittaci 6BC (one rrn operon) to the aminoglycoside spectinomycin as a model. Confluent cell monolayers were infected in a plaque assay with about 10(8) wild-type infectious particles and then treated with the antibiotic. After a 2-week incubation time, plaques formed by spontaneous spectinomycin-resistant (Spc(r)) mutants appeared with a frequency of 5 x 10(-5) for C. psittaci 6BC. No Spc(r) mutants were isolated for C. trachomatis L2, although the frequencies of rifampin resistance were in the same range for both strains (i.e., 10(-7)). The risk of emergence of Chlamydia strains resistant to tetracyclines and macrolides, the ribosomal drugs currently used to treat chlamydial infections, is discussed.     

Aortic arch anomalies in children and infants.

The authors report their experience in 150 cases of aortic arch anomalies treated surgically in children and infants. The progress achieved over the past few years through improved diagnosis and resuscitative care has made it possible to obtain good results in the vast majority of cases.     

Heterotransplantate der Aortenklappe

Ohne Zusammenfassung (a. G.)