The significance of the spores of the Basidiomycetes (mushrooms and their allies) in bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis.

The role of Basidiospores in the allergic diathesis is poorly understood. Dialyzed extracts of Agaricus campestris, Coprinus micaceus, Fuligo septica, Lycoperdon perlatum, Scleroderma lycoperdoides, Ustilago maydis, and sooty mold were prepared from fresh spores. The study group consisted of 100 patients with asthma and 100 patients with allergic rhinitis. These 200 patients had symptoms occurring during October and November. All were intradermally skin tested with the seven extracts at concentrations of 1 microgram/mL or 10 micrograms/mL. No scratch or pressure puncture tests were performed. Skin tests were recorded at 15 minutes (pos = 5-mm wheal with 10-mm erythema or greater) and at six or 24 hours (pos = 6 mm or greater of induration and erythema). A total of 436 immediate reactions were observed in the asthmatic group (4.4/patient) compared with 129 in the rhinitic group (1.3/patient). The late phase reactions were just the opposite. The asthmatic group had 66 late phase reactions or 0.7/patient compared with 382 or 3.8/patient in the rhinitic group. This study demonstrates that patients with bronchial asthma have a higher incidence of immediate skin sensitivity by intradermal testing, whereas patients with allergic rhinitis have late phase sensitivity to these fungal spores. This study was performed in the eastern United States only; therefore, the clinical significance of the results will become more apparent once this study is repeated in other parts of the country by other investigators.

Anorexia nervosa. Current perspectives in research.

This article is a thorough update of drug treatment studies and basic research. In their presentation of drug interventions, the authors discuss the efficacy of such psychotropic medications as neuroleptics, tricyclic antidepressants, lithium carbonate, cyproheptadine, and delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol. An overview of new research perspectives on two new anorectogenic substances--AP, isolated from the urine of "hypothalamic" anorectics, and satietin, purified from normal serum--is presented.

Anorexia nervosa in treated gonadal dysgenesis: case report and review.

The 12th reported case of anorexia nervosa in association with the 45,XO genotype and Turner's phenotype is presented. This patient received hormonal treatment but had a poor psychological outcome. Reasons for a possible increased coincidence of the two disorders, and the relationships among hormonal treatment, onset of puberty, and development of anorexia nervosa, are discussed in light of this and previous cases.

Anorexia nervosa: review of current treatment practices.

The etiology of anorexia nervosa has defied elucidation for over 100 years and no systematic treatment has yet been developed for the illness. We have reviewed some current findings that relate to both neuroendocrinologic and psychologic defects. Review of current treatment practices reveals that a variety of approaches are used, alone or in combination. Special attention is directed to the rationale for the use of certain neuropharmacologic agents that influence eating behavior. We advocate a flexible, multimodal approach to treatment of this illness, the understanding of which is still in its early stage.

Dysesthesia, witchcraft, and conversion reaction. A case successfully treated with psychotherapy.

An intelligent, well-educated black woman from the rural South, through an interaction of psychopathology and cultural background, experienced dysesthesia as a conversion reaction and came to believe that she was the victim of witchcraft. After neurological evaluation showed no abnormalities, she was successfully treated with conventional psychotherapy. Belief in hexing or root work is still alive today and should be inquired about in patients with unusual symptoms and an appropriate cultural background.