[Effect of long-term treatment with synthetic oestrogens on plasma lipids and arterial vessels in male rabbits (author's transl)]. / Einfluss einer Langzeitbehandlung mit synthetischen Ostrogenen auf die Plasmalipide und die arteriellen Gefässe männlicher Kaninchen

The effects of long-term treatment with synthetic oestrogens (Retalon retard, Sanabo Ltd., Wien, 5 mg/kg i.m. at weekly intervals) were investigated in 12 male rabbits and compared with the data obtained in 9 saline-treated control animals. After 6 months of treatment the oestrogen group showed significantly higher plasma phospholipid (p less than 0.005) and cholesterol (p less than 0.01) concentrations than the control group. However, histological examination of various important arterial vessels (the aorta and the coronary, cerebral, limb and renal arteries) revealed no pathological changes indicative of premature atherosclerosis in either the oestrogen group or in the control group. It is concluded that long-term treatment with synthetic oestrogens does not result in a higher incidence of atherosclerosis in rabbits.

PIP: 12 male rabbits were given im injections (5 mg/kg of body weight, weekly) of Retalon retard for 6 months. Various laboratory values were then compared with those of a control group of 9 rabbits which had been given salt water injections for 6 months. The plasma phospholipid and cholesterol concentrations were significantly higher in the experimental group. The liver weight and triglyceride content of the liver were also significantly higher in the experimental group. A histological examination of the circulatory system showed no traces of arteriosclerosis; it is thus concluded that long-term estrogen treatment may not induce arteriosclerosis.

Experimental infection of the guinea pig inner ear with Toxoplasma gondii.

Based on the question whether toxoplasma gondii is a potential pathogenetic factor in sudden deafness and vertigo (especially in the acquired form of Toxoplasmosis) we started a series of investigations, dealing with direct, local, hematogenous, and intracisternal infection of the guinea pig cochlea with toxoplasma gondii. Three of ten directly inoculated and one of five hematogenously infected guinea pigs showed a severe labyrinthitis in electron and light microscopy. Thus, we could demonstrate that toxoplasma gondii is a potent pathogenetic factor in acute inner ear disturbances in laboratory animals. Toxoplasmosis should always be considered in cases with sudden deafness and vertigo without obvious other cause. With a specific therapy the labyrinthine disturbances can apparently be successfully treated.

[Mycotic infection of the ear: a harmless saprophyte or pathognomonic risk factor?]. / Pilzbefal des Ohres--Harmloser Saprophyt oder pathognomonischer Risikofaktor?

The mycotic infection of the auditory canal and middle ear in patients with special risks (transplantation, extensive ear surgery, immunosuppression) and long term antibiotic treatment is discussed as a possible pathogenetic factor for inner ear lesions and generalization. This problem was also studied by experimental investigations with artificially infected guinea pigs. Further on we report about a clinical study with a new antimycotic substance which was used for local therapy.

[Anomalies of kinocilia in Kartagener's Syndrome]. / Kinozilienanomalien beim Kartagener-Syndrom.

A family with Kartagener's Syndrome, under investigation in our clinic, was subjected to clinical and electron microscopic studies about possible anomalies of kinocilia in the upper respiratory tract. The results are discussed as whether there are typical abnormalities in the ultrastructure or pathological variations of the mucosa which can also be seen in other diseases, such as mucoviscidosis or chronical alterations.

Fungal infection of the ear. Etiology and therapy with bifonazole cream or solution.

Fungal infections of the auditory canal and middle ear are usually left unnoticed and regarded as a harmless saprophytic growth. However, these infections may become clinically significant in immunocompromised patients or patients undergoing long-term antibiotic treatment. This is demonstrated by characteristic case reports and confirmed by light and electron microscopic findings. Moreover, studies on animals with experimentally induced fungal infections have furnished evidence for the risk of the infection's spreading to the inner ear and causing serious damage to the organ of Corti; indirect damage to these structures by mycotoxins cannot be ruled out. To avoid complications of such severity of an allegedly harmless otomycosis we consider a quick and clinically easy to perform local treatment of high-risk patients as absolutely necessary. Such a treatment using bifonazole solution or cream was carried out on a number of patients and proved to be effective and free from side effects.

[Nasal infection of the domestic cat with feline herpesvirus as an animal model of experimental viral labyrinthitis]. / Nasale Infektion der Hauskatze mit felinem Herpesvirus als Tierversuchsmodell der experimentellen viralen Labyrinthitis.

Looking for a suitable animal model of experimental labyrinthitis we performed in vivo infections of the domestic cat with feline rhinotracheitis virus. After instillation of the virus suspension into the nose of the anaesthetized cat we could find the complete virus particles in so-called virus factories in the nasal mucosa four days later by means of electron-microscopy. The adjacent ganglia of the olfactory nerve were stained by immunohistochemical methods and showed positive viral antigen. After embedding of the cochlea for electron microscopy virus particles could be demonstrated in the inflammatory cell material in the scala tympani. Our experimental model seems to be suitable for further studies of the rhinogenic way of infection in experimental viral labyrinthitis.

The capsid antigen of Epstein-Barr virus in nasopharyngeal carcinomas: comparison of serum antibody titre, cellular antigen content and histopathology.

In a retrospective study of 21 patients with nasopharyngeal malignancies (lymphoepithelial carcinomas, both undifferentiated and dedifferentiated serological and immunohistological methods were used to examine the significance of the IgG- and IgM-antibody against the capsid antigen of Epstein-Barr virus for early detection and follow-up, and the findings compared with those from a control group. Furthermore, the IgA-antibody is taken into account and presented with examples from the literature. Other possible forms of therapy (combined radio- and polychemotherapy) are also discussed.

[Papilloma of the larynx. Immunology (author's transl)]. / Zur Immunologie des Larynxpapilloms.

Electron-microscopic and immunohistological studies show the cross-reactivity of an antigen in verruca plana, condyloma acuminatum and laryngeal papilloma. If this antigen is identical with papova virus or a tumor-performed antigen, cannot be distinguished definately. The fact that sera of patients bearing condylomata acuminata show strong antigen-antibody-reaction with tissue-sections of laryngeal papilloma by means of immunofluorescence microscopy, is discussed in a probably therapeutical point of view.

[Otitis nigra: etiologic pathogenetic and clinical aspects (author's transl)]. / Otitis nigra: ätiologische, pathogenetische und klinische Gesichtspunkte.

The clinical picture of otitis nigra (idiopathic sero-hemmorrhagic otitis media) as independent clinical entity is shown, presenting 5 cases requiring mastoid surgery. Samples of mastoid mucosa were investigated by light- and electron-microscopy employing histochemical, immunofluorescent and virological techniques. Pathological changes of the small vessels in the subepithelial connective tissue with increased vascular permeability and extravasation of red blood cells and serum play a central role in the pathogenetic course of the disease. Disintegration of erythrocytes leads by catabolism of hemoglobin to formation of hemosiderin and ferretin, whereas by processing of phospholipids of the cell-membrane cholesterin cristals are deposited in the connective tissue. These cholesterin deposits in turn induce a foreign body reaction with formation of typical cholesterol granulomas. The mucosa shows secretory activity in intraepithelial secretory cells and glandlike structures in the subepithelial connective tissue. Neutral and acidic mucopolysaccharides are demonstrated in the secretory product. As possible cause for the vascular lesion that in turn sets off the pathomechanisme of otitis nigra a subclinical viral infection is discussed. This conjecture is supported by demonstration of virus-like inclusion bodies in macrophages and fibrocytes and of virus-like particles in antral smears. In addition myxoviruses of the parotitis-epidemica group could be identified in these smears by serological methods. Furthermore, the stimulation of the local immunological defense system, evidenced by the presence of numerous immunoglobulin-producing plasmacells in the tissue, is in concord with a viral infection. Therapy requires mastoidectomy in combination with posterior tympanotomy in order to eradicate completely the intractably diseased mastoid mucosa.

[Serological identification of carcinospecific antigens (and their significance as donor screening or for specific groups of diseases)]. / Serologischer Nachweis karzinomspezifischer Antigene (und deren Bedeutung als Spenderscreening bzw. für bestimmte Krankheitsgruppen)

Alpha-1-fetoprotein is an example of a circulating, measurable tumor product of diagnostic and therapeutic value. The involvement of its synthesis could be a result of a premalign cellular change in cell biochemistry. Contrary to the synthesis of trophic hormones in certain undifferentiated neoplasms, alpha-1-fetoprotein in hepatoma is specific for the organ origin of the tumor. Unlike the immunoglobulins in myeloma or the corticosteroids in adrenocortical tumors, it is a protein that normally can be synthetized in the fetus only. The purpose of the present paper is to discuss a new method for testing serum samples of blood donors being suspected of an alpha-1-protein by means of counterelectrophoresis. The diagnostic value is shown in a blood donor who could be singled out as a suspect of primary liver carcinoma only by means of serological testing.

[Balanced parenteral nutrition following total pancreatectomy. (Metabolic data)]. / Bilanzierte künstliche Ernährung nach totaler Pankreatektomie (Stoffwechseldaten)

The replacement of components of normal metabolism getting lost during operation is an important problem for the clinician. On the basis of a case of total pancreatectomy because of carcinoma of the pancreas this essential problem for the postoperative treatment is demonstrated. After control of the predominant metabolic parameters of the patient over a relatively long postoperative period, we want to formulate our conclusion as follows: In spite of the massive surgery we found only relatively small destruction of the patient's metabolic system. The evident variations in blood sugar level were probably caused by the often changing kinds of nutrition (the patient having been some weeks at home). As the most distinctive sign of a well performed therapy we regard the results of the daily weight control. In spite of the heavy physical stress over many months we could stabilize the patient's body weight after a short postoperative loss.

Antibacterial treatment of otitis and sinusitis with ciprofloxacin and penicillin V--a comparison.

80 adult outpatients suffering from otitis media, sinusitis (maxillaris or frontalis) or peritonsillitis were treated with 500 mg ciprofloxacin b.i.d. (n = 40) or with 2 g penicillin V t.i.d. (n = 40). The patients were randomly allocated. Three groups of patients resulted, clinically and bacteriologically evaluable, or only clinically evaluable because the isolated strains were resistant to ciprofloxacin or penicillin V or because no strains were isolated. Ciprofloxacin was superior to penicillin V; there were fewer resistant strains (one compared to 11), and the eradication rate (57% compared to 43%) as well as the clinical efficacy (60% compared to 48%) of ciprofloxacin were better than those of penicillin V--even in a daily dose of 6.0 g. Both treatments were well tolerated; side effects were neither reported nor found.

[Viral origin of postnatally acquired inner ear damage]. / Zur viralen Genese postnatal erworbener Innenohrschäden.

Experimental and clinical data exist which point at a possible role of herpes virus infections in postnatally acquired inner ear disturbances. The presence of viral DNA in the inner ear and vestibular organ of experimentally infected mice and pigs suggests that not only primary infections but also the reactivation of latent herpes viruses can cause severe inner ear damage. Serological examinations are presented and therapeutic considerations discussed.

[Immunohistochemical and radioimmunological demonstration of alpha1-fetoprotein in nonmalignant changes of human gastric mucosa (author's transl)]. / Immunhistochemischer und quantitativ radioimmunologischer Nachweis von Alpha1-Fetoprotein bei pathologischen Veränderungen der Magenschleimhaut.

The occurrence of alpha1-fetoprotein in nonmalignant changes of the gastric mucosa was investigated by means of immunohistochemistry and radioimmunoassay. The investigations were performed in tissue sections, cytological imprint preparations as well as in homogenized tissue samples (obtained by gastroscopy). alpha1-fetoprotein could be demonstrated by immunohistochemistry in about 90% of the samples originating from the surroundings of gastric ulcer and the region of gastrojejunostomy after B II-resection. The RIA was positive in about 75% of the tissue samples, whereas from gastric juice only 40% of positive results could be obtained. No alpha1-fetoprotein-activity could be demonstrated in serum samples. These investigations indicate that alpha1-fetoprotein is not exclusively synthesized by embryonic or neoplastic tissues and also can be synthesized also by regenerating cell-systems. It may be supposed that this synthesis represents an unspecific answer to growth-stimulation.

Occurrence of alpha-1-fetoprotein in the mammary gland tissue of men with gynecomastia.

Immunohistochemical proof of A1FP production in the mammary gland of a man with gynecomastia is published here for the first time. The immunohistochemical proof of this fetal alpha-1-globulin in the intraductal epithelium of the mammary gland is described on the basis of the case history of a 25-year-old man with a metastasizing malignant teratoblastoma of the gonads. The question, to what extent A1FP-neosynthesis is characteristic for malignant tumors or whether it is a cellular response to specific, in this case hormonal growth stiumli of primary tumors, is also discussed.

Ciprofloxacin concentrations in tonsils following single or multiple administrations.

Penetration of ciprofloxacin into human tonsils was studied in 20 adult humans undergoing tonsilectomy. Ten patients received a single intravenous infusion of 200 mg ciprofloxacin within 15 min (group A) and 14 patients were treated orally for three days with 500 mg ciprofloxacin b.i.d. prior to a preoperative infusion of 200 mg (group B). Ciprofloxacin concentrations in serum and tonsils were determined microbiologically. Mean ciprofloxacin serum concentrations did not differ significantly between both groups. Similarly, mean distribution ratios between tonsils and serum were not dissimilar, being on average 150% irrespective of whether the drug was administered once or repeatedly. Thus, a significant accumulation of ciprofloxacin was not observed either in the intravascular or in the extravascular space.