The inhibitory effect of polysaccharide on mumps virus multiplication

Polysaccharides derived from type-specific Friedl?nder bacilli cause inhibition of the multiplication of mumps virus in the allantoic sac of the chick embryo. As little as 5 microg. of polysaccharide is effective as an inhibitor. Inhibition of multiplication is obtained when polysaccharide is injected as long as 4 days after inoculation of virus. Chemical studies have shown that the structural configurations of the polysaccharide responsible for specific serological activity are not identical with those which determine the inhibitory effect relative to mumps virus. The possible mechanisms of the inhibition of viral multiplication by means of polysaccharides are discussed.     

A study of the relationship between the fever caused by bacterial pyrogens and the fever accompanying acute infections

The relationship between the fever of acute infection and that following injection of bacterial pyrogen was studied by administering pyrogens to animals convalescent from acute infections. Rabbits surviving dermal pneumococcal infections or peritonitis due to Escherichia coli were given intravenous injections of typhoid or E. coli vaccine. They showed no evidence of tolerance to the fever-promoting effect of these pyrogenic materials. Tolerance did develop in infected animals given daily pyrogen injections during the course of the infection. Certain previous observations upon the ability of rabbits to develop tolerance to pyrogens, the broad nature of the tolerance, and its duration were confirmed. It is concluded that the pyrogen produced by certain bacteria plays little or no r?le in the production of the fever of infection. These findings are compatible with the hypothesis that there is a common factor, perhaps a product of cell injury, underlying the fever accompanying diseases of various types.     

Comparison of yogurt, soybean, casein, and amino acid–based diets in children with persistent diarrhea

Although previous studies have shown successful treatment of persistent diarrhea (PD) with the use of yogurt-based diets, some recent ones speculate the need of special formulas for the nutritional management of PD complicated cases. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that the consumption of 3 lactose-free diets, with different degrees of complexity, is associated with lower stool output and shorter duration of diarrhea when compared with the use of a yogurt-based one on the nutritional management of PD. A total of 154 male infants, aged between 1 and 30 months, with PD and with or without dehydration, were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups. Throughout the study, the patients were placed in a metabolic unit; their body weights and intakes of oral rehydration solution, water, and formula diets, in addition to outputs of stool, urine, and vomit, were measured and recorded at 24-hour intervals. Four different diets were used in this study: diet 1, yogurt-based formula; diet 2, soy-based formula; diet 3, hydrolyzed protein-based formula; and diet 4, amino acid–based formula. Throughout the study, only these formula diets were fed to the children. The data showed that children fed the yogurt-based diet (diet 1) or the amino acid–based diet (diet 4) had a significant reduction in stool output and in the duration of diarrhea. The use of an inexpensive and worldwide-available yogurt-based diet is recommended as the first choice for the nutritional management of mild to moderate PD. For the few complicated PD cases, when available, a more complex amino acid–based diet should be reserved for the nutritional management of these unresponsive and severe presentations. Soy-based or casein-based diets do not offer any specific advantage or benefits and do not seem to have a place in the management of PD.