Lung puncture aspiration in the diagnosis of acute pneumonias.

The present study was carried out in 100 children of acute pneumonia to establish the diagnosis of etiologic agents. Clinico-radiological assessment and routine investigations including sputum, throat swab and blood culture did not help in identifying the offending micro-organisms. The bacteriological examination of lung puncture aspirate was the most satisfactory tool for the etiological diagnosis. Direct smear examination/culture were positive in 50% aspirates. On cytology, definite epithelioid granulomas indicated tuberculous infection. However, in direct smear/culture negative patients, predominant mononuclear cell infiltration in the aspirated material may indicate non-pyogenic infection. Staphylococcus aureus (22%) was the commonest organism causing pneumonia in the present study.

Immunologic and neuroendocrine interactions in pregnancy.

The neuroendocrine system helps in the success of the fetal graft by suppressing maternal cellular immune response against the foreign paternal histocompatibility (HLA) antigens. In addition, placenta absorbs the antibodies directed against the paternal HLA antigens, thus inhibiting the humoral rejection of the fetal graft. In contrast, neuropeptides released in the maternal blood stream under adverse mental states may stimulate lymphocyte blastogenesis and natural killer (NK) cell activity resulting in premature loss of the fetus. Further, homozygosity of a lethal gene which is in linkage disequilibrium with HLA genes may have a role in some unexplained fetal deaths.