Seminal peroxidase positive cells are not an adequate indicator of asymptomatic urethral genital infection

The relationship between asymptomatic urethral infection and seminal white blood cells, as detected using the peroxidase enzyme system, was examined. Eighty-four semen donors were tested. Twenty-four (29%) were diagnosed as having an active urethral genital infection. There was no statistical relationship between the total number of concentrations of peroxidase-positive cells and a urethral genital infection. Further studies should concentrate on the subtypes of seminal leucocytes and their surface receptors using monoclonal antibodies.     

Antisperm antibodies and lymphocyte subsets in semen—not a simple relationship

The significance of white blood cells in the ejaculate remains a matter of controversy. Several authors have suggested that such cells are important in the modulation of an antisperm antibody response, i.e. a predominance of suppressor/cytotoxic to helper/inducer T cells may prevent the development of antisperm antibodies. In order to examine this relationship further we have documented the white blood cell types, with emphasis on the T-lymphocyte populations, in the ejaculates of men from infertile couples with and without antisperm antibodies; the latter group was divided further into two groups--vasovasostomized men and idiopathic men. All seven of the men without antisperm antibodies had a predominance of suppressor/cytotoxic T cells to helper/inducer T cells in the ejaculate. However, only in some of the men with antibodies was there a predominance of T-helper/inducer cells. It is clear that the relationship between antisperm antibodies and seminal leucocytes is therefore not as straightforward as has been proposed.     

SCREENING FOR ALCOHOLISM IN GENERAL MEDICAL PATIENTS

Medical patients (N = 108) were administered a brief screeninginstrument (LAMSI) and a structured diagnostic interview (SUDDS).Twenty-five patients met DSM-III criteria for an alcohol usedisorder, 20 current, five in remission. The four-item scaleembedded in the screen identified the alcoholics with 88% sensitivityand 96% specificity.     

Iotrol versus metrizamide in lumbar myelography: a double-blind study

In a prospective, randomized, double-blind study, 49 patients underwent lumbar myelography using iotrol (24 patients) or metrizamide (25 patients). The diagnostic imaging adequacy of iotrol was comparable with that of metrizamide. After iotrol myelography, adverse reactions were fewer, less severe, and of shorter duration than were those following metrizamide myelography. Thirteen of 24 patients (54%) receiving iotrol reported some adverse reactions compared with 24 of 25 patients (96%) receiving metrizamide. Five moderate and one severe adverse reaction occurred in the group receiving iotrol. Fourteen moderate and eight severe adverse reactions occurred in the group receiving metrizamide. Thirty-eight patients underwent electroencephalography both before and after myelography (19 iotrol and 19 metrizamide). None of the EEGs obtained after iotrol myelography changed from baseline, while seven of the EEGs obtained after metrizamide myelography showed changes from baseline. Iotrol was judged superior to metrizamide as a contrast medium in this patient population.     

Atypical Allergic Colitis in Preterm Infants

ABSTRACT. Two atypical cases of colitis due to cow's milk protein intolerance (CMPI) are reported, affecting preterm infants. One developed a toxic dilatation of the colon and responded well to a casein hydrolysate based feed. The second presented insidiously and failed to tolerate a casein hydrolysate, but responded well to a chicken-based modular feed.