Epidemiology of virus-induced asthma exacerbations: with special reference to the role of human rhinovirus.

Viral respiratory infections may be associated with the virus-induced asthma in adults as well as children. Particularly, human rhinovirus is strongly suggested a major candidate for the associations of the virus-induced asthma. Thus, in this review, we reviewed and focused on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of virus-induced asthma with special reference on human rhinovirus. Furthermore, we added our preliminary data regarding the clinical and virological findings in the present review.

Evidence for hypohydrosis as clinical clue to diagnosis of Horner's syndrome.

A 59-year-old man presented with hypohydrosis in his left upper extremity and left hand, and experienced difficulty in gripping the steering wheel while driving. One year prior to admission, he had felt pain and/or paresthesias in his left anterior chest, left shoulder area and left periaxillar area, which corresponded to involvement of dermatomes in T1-T3. He was diagnosed with Horner's syndrome caused by lung tumour, which was located at the apical posterior wall along with the second to fourth ribs. The tumour interrupted sympathetic neurons at the T1-T4 level. The degree of hypohydrosis was successfully evaluated by the starch-iodine technique, dermal thermography and a skin surface hygrometer. After radiation therapy, hypohydrosis and pain or paresthesias improved partially, and he was discharged uneventfully.