RADIATION MYELOPATHY OF THE LUMBO-SACRAL SPINAL CORD

The clinical findings in four cases of radiation injury to the lumbosacral spinal cord and cauda equina, occurring after radiotherapy of malignant testicular tumours with radiation doses of 1597–1670 ret, are reported. The main feature in each case was a flaccid paraparesis, without sensory loss in three cases, while one patient presented a doubtful sensory deficit. Symptoms of sphincter dysfunction were absent. In all cases the symptoms caused a marked and persistent incapacity. It is suggested that the principal site of radiation injury is the proximal parts of the lower motor neuron.     

Increased serum levels of antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus in adults with history of atopic dermatitis

Serum antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), varicella-zoster (VZV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) were determined in 140 patients with active or healed atopic dermatitis (AD) and 48 control individuals. Antibody titers against EBV were significantly higher in AD patients than in the controls irrespective of whether the AD was active or healed at the time of blood sampling. No difference in EBV antibody titers were observed between AD patients with asthma and/or hay fever and those without such additional atopic manifestations. There was no correlation between EBV antibody titers and serum IgE levels. The frequency of seropositivity and the magnitude of antibody titers against VZV and HSV in AD patients were not significantly different from the controls. Increase in EBV antibody titers may reflect basic immunoregulatory disturbances in AD but it is also possible that EBV may play a role in the pathogenesis of atopic disease.     

Incidence,predisposing factors and manifestations of invasiveHaemophilus influenzae infections in adults

A retrospective study was conducted on invasiveHaemophilus influenzae infections in adults (? 16 years) for the period 1971–1983 in two regions in Sweden. The annual incidence was determined to be 1.1 per 100,000. Predisposing factors included advanced age, bronchopulmonary diseases, alcoholism, traumatic head injury, malignant diseases and pregnancy. Pleuropulmonary infections were the most common manifestations followed by epiglottitis, meningitis and septicaemia of unknown origin. A death rate of 8 % was established. Both encapsulated and non-typable strains were found to be potentially pathogenic, but the non-typable strains had a lower virulence.