Polymorphonuclear leukocyte function in psoriasis vulgaris

Polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) migration was assessed in vitro using the agarose plate method in patients with psoriasis vulgaris, and compared with an age- and sex-matched control group. No significant difference was found between the two groups in the PMN response to the chemotactic substances F-Met-Leu-Phe (FMLP) or zymosan activated serum (ZAS). Equally, the chemokinetic or chemotactic potential of psoriatic serum did not differ from control serum. Our results do not support a primary abnormality of PMN function in psoriasis.     

The simultaneous determination of cerebrospinal fluid and plasma adenosine deaminase activity as a diagnostic aid in tuberculous meningitis

The simultaneous determination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity was evaluated as a diagnostic aid in tuberculous meningitis (TBM). CSF and plasma ADA activity were determined in four groups of patients: (i) a 'no meningitis' group of 174 children investigated for possible meningitis, but found to be uninfected; (ii) an aseptic meningitis group of 40 children; (iii) a bacterial meningitis group of 31 children; and (iv) a TBM group of 27 patients (24 children and 3 adults). CSF ADA alone was determined in a further 23 children with aseptic meningitis, 19 with bacterial meningitis and 13 children and 7 adults with TBM. Both the CSF/plasma ADA ratio and the absolute CSF ADA activity were raised in TBM (mean values 0,24 and 12,61 U/I respectively) and bacterial meningitis (mean values 0,59 and 15,43 U/I respectively), but not in the aseptic meningitis group (mean values 0,06 and 2,00 U/I) or the 'no meningitis' group (mean values 0,04 and 1,51 U/I). Both values will distinguish TBM from aseptic meningitis, but do not appear to hold any marked advantages over conventional CSF criteria in the diagnosis of TBM.     

Emergency treatment of papaverine priapism

We report a case of vasoactive-agent-induced priapism successfully treated in the emergency department with 10 mg of metaraminol injected into the corpora cavernosa.