Winter pollinosis in Paris.

Pollen is rarely investigated as a cause of winter respiratory symptoms. Infectious coryza and asthma are particularly common during winter, and it has been shown that environmental antigens can cause at least some cases in Paris. Recent experimental data from Calhoun et al. (1991) indicate that pollen may act synergistically with viral respiratory infections, which are particularly prevalent in winter. In the present study, we investigated, in 130 consecutive patients presenting with winter aggravation of asthma or rhinitis, winter pollinosis by skin test, radioallergosorbent test (RAST), and specific endonasal challenge test. Totals of 35, 24, and 21 patients reacted positively in skin, RAST (> 0.70 PRU/ml), and endonasal tests, respectively. Clinical features during the season established the diagnosis of winter pollinosis in 20 cases; it was due to alder pollen in 10 patients and hazel pollen in 12. The positive predictive value of the skin test was only 0.57, as compared with 0.86 for the specific endonasal test, which had a negative predictive value of 1. Our results indicate that hazel and alder pollens should be prick-tested for more often as causes of winter respiratory symptoms in Paris, even if similar manifestations were absent during previous winters, were previously present during spring or summer, or were both absent in previous winters and present in spring or summer.

[Occupational asthma caused by formalin in a hospital milieu. Apropos of 3 cases]. / L'asthme professionnel dû au formol en milieu hospitalier. A propos de 3 observations.

Three cases of formalin-induced occupational asthma observed in 2 hospital nurses and 1 hospital medical secretary are reported. The characteristics of this type of occupational asthma which seems to be infrequent, probably because it is often undiagnosed, are described. The prognosis is often severe, even after discontinuation of exposure to the risk. These patients are eligible to disability pensions as compensation for occupational disease.

[A case of diffuse pulmonary amyloidosis associated with peripheral neurologic signs]. / A propos d'une observation d'amylose pulmonaire diffuse associée à des signes neurologiques périphériques.

The authors report a case of well-tolerated and prolonged diffuse parenchymal amyloidosis of the lungs associated with signs of peripheral neuropathy. The latest classifications of amyloidosis generally and of bronchopulmonary amyloidosis specifically are reviewed. The problems raised by this particular case, and notably its relation with the neurological signs observed, are discussed.

[A case of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in a homosexual]. / A propos d'une observation de syndrome immuno-déficitaire acquis (SIDA) chez un homosexuel.

There is increasing number of cases of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and in France there have been about 100 cases. The authors report one case who died within 10 months. The patient presented a Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, extensive peri-anal herpes, gastro-intestinal candidiasis and, in the final stage, severe diarrhoea. In the context of this case, the authors review the principal manifestations of this new clinical entity.

[Observation of a pulmonary histoplasmosis with Histoplasma capsulatum (author's transl)]. / A propos d'une observation d'histoplasmose pulmonaire à Histoplasma capsulatum.

From an observation of pulmonary histoplasmosis with Histoplasma capsulatum in a Haiti woman living in France for 2 years, the authors recall the mycological and epidemiological data of this fungus as well as the main clinical radiological and biological signs of the disease. Because of its tendancy to dissemination, histoplasmosis can have a bad prognosis. It is difficult to diagnose in our countries and facing a chronic pulmonary form, a diagnosis of tuberculosis is often thought of. But its possibility is to be envisaged in case of a journey in countries of endemia, and the disease should be confirmed by: -- several samplings to trace the fungus, bringing the mycological prove of the disease; -- serum uses; -- modalities and difficulties of the treatment by Amphotericin B are also recalled.