Psychophysical measures of sensitization to tonic heat discriminate chronic pain patients.

Sensitization to continued nociceptive stimulation is supposed to be involved in the development of chronic pain at several levels of the CNS, but experimental studies investigating the perceptual dynamics of sensitization in humans are rare, and the diagnostic validity of experimental pain models is not known. The present study used a tonic heat paradigm to assess early sensitization (15-100 s) to experimental pain in 30 chronic pain patients (15 musculoskeletal/back pain, 15 headache) and 23 healthy controls. Change in pain sensation during prolonged stimulation was measured by a dual sensitization method which combines subjective ratings and behavioural responses in an indirect psychophysical protocol protected against response bias. Phasic and tonic pain thresholds were measured for control purposes. The degree of sensitization was linearly related to stimulus temperature, and groups differed significantly in this 'sensitization gradient': chronic pain patients sensitized earlier and stronger than healthy subjects, musculoskeletal pain patients showed the strongest effect. Pain thresholds were lowered in headache patients only. Discriminant analysis demonstrated good sensitivity and specificity of individual sensitization measures for distinguishing pain syndromes, particularly in combination with pain thresholds. The results are in accordance with current models of spinal plasticity contributing to pathological pain states. They argue for the diagnostic value of psychophysical measures of sensitization.

[Preclinical control of intubation and artificial respiration. Animal experiment and literature review]. / Präklinische Kontrolle von Tubuslage und Beatmung. Tierexperimentelle Studie und Literaturübersicht.

Oesophageal malposition of an endotracheal tube is among the leading causes of anaesthesia incidents. While clinical manoeuvres for detection of tube malposition are unreliable, monitoring (i.e. capnography) can prevent such incidents. The problem is particularly important in prehospital care, where capnography is not (yet) widely available. We tested three devices used for differentiating oesophageal from endotracheal intubation: 1. Non-CO2-dependent Oesophageal Detector Device (ODD) as described by Pollard and Wee, 2. Semi-quantitative chemical disposable capnometer EasyCAP (Nellcor), 3. Non-quantitative infrared miniaturised capnometer MiniCAP (MSA). METHODS. 50 anaesthetised minipigs were intubated with a Magill tube. An identical additional tube was placed in the oesophagus. The cuffs of both tubes were inflated. Unexperienced personnel (students, laboratory technicians) were asked to determine the position of one of the tubes by using one of the devices according to the randomisation plan. The decision had to be taken within 30 s. Using the ODD, the proband first injected 100 ml air into the lung (or stomach) and then tried to aspirate the same volume. EasyCAP and MiniCAP were used according to manuals. RESULTS. Each device was used 25 times with a tracheal tube and 25 times with an oesophageal tube. All tube position identifications were correct. When ventilating the oesophagus/stomach for capnometric control, regurgitation into the tube occurred six times (five times with the EasyCAP and once with the MiniCAP). In these cases, the decision was based on this occurrence and not on the display of the device. While using the ODD no regurgitation occurred. CONCLUSION. These devices are useful for preclinical practice. According to the literature and our experience, the ODD is superior for the initial control of tube position, especially in cardiac arrest. Capnometry is needed, however, for continuous control of ventilation.

Perioperative plasma erythropoietin levels in hip arthroplasty.

To examine the influence of intra- and postoperative blood loss and operative trauma on erythropoietin (EPO) production we studied patients undergoing endoprosthetic surgery of the hip. Immunoreactive plasma EPO was determined in ten patients (seven male, three female, aged 39-68 years), undergoing surgery for hip arthroplasty (n = 8) or revision hip arthroplasty (n = 2). EPO levels had already been determined during preoperative autologous deposit, thus allowing direct comparison between EPO response to blood loss alone and the response to blood loss and operative trauma. Perioperative blood loss amounted to 1720 (480-8100) ml (median, range). The hemoglobin concentration decreased from 12.4 (10.6-14.0) g/dl (median, range) before the operation to 10.0 (9.3-12.3) g/dl 2 h after the operation. Thereafter, the hemoglobin concentration increased slowly due to transfusion and erythropoiesis and was not significantly different (p < 0.05) from the preoperative value on the seventh postoperative day. The EPO concentration was preoperatively 26 (11-28) mU/ml and increased 2 h after the end of the operation, reaching a peak of 64 (45-104) mU/ml at 24 h. This peak was followed by a plateau at lower, but still elevated levels. The EPO concentration remained significantly elevated above the preoperative value on the seventh postoperative day. Plasma EPO concentrations showed an adequate response to postoperative anemia compared with the time course after autologous donation. In the early postoperative phase, they do not seem to be appreciably influenced by the neuroendocrine response to trauma, by mediators of inflammation, or by the postoperative catabolic state. The slightly elevated EPO concentration in the late postoperative phase indicates that factors other than anemia may contribute to EPO production at this time.

[Short donation intervals in preoperative autologous blood donation in the concept of autologous transfusion]. / Kurze Abnahmeintervalle bei der präoperativen Eigenblutspende im Konzept der autologen Transfusion.

Homologous transfusion is associated with infectious and immunological risks. Preoperative autologous deposit reduces homologous transfusion requirements considerably. Usually donations are carried out at weekly intervals. In this study we investigated the effect of shorter donation intervals on erythropoiesis and perioperative transfusion requirements. METHODS. A total of 40 consecutive patients scheduled for hip arthroplasty and taking part in an autologous donation programme were randomly assigned to two groups: group I gave blood on days 0, 3, 7 (and 14), group II at weekly intervals. The aim was deposit of three blood units of 450 ml. A patient was deferred if hemoglobin concentration prior to donation fell below 11 g/dl, and in this case 100 mg Fe 2+ three times daily was prescribed. Blood was stored with CP-DA-1 anticoagulant. Surgery was performed between day 28 and 35. A perioperative hemoglobin concentration lower than 9 g/dl was considered a transfusion trigger. RESULTS. Group I was made up of 21 patients (10 women, 11 men, aged 39-69 years) who gave blood at short intervals, and group II of 19 patients (10 women, 9 men, aged 37-77 years) who gave blood at weekly intervals. General data, calculated blood volume and erythrocyte mass prior to donation were comparable. Each patient donated three units. Four patients had to be deferred once, one in group I, three in group II. The hemoglobin concentration in group I decreased from 13.9 +/- 1.2 g/dl (mean +/- SD) to 13.3 +/- 1.0 g/dl prior the operation, in group II from 13.5 +/- 1.3 g/dl to 12.5 +/- 1.1 g/dl. Preoperatively the hemoglobin concentrations differed significantly (P < 0.05), as did calculated erythrocyte mass (1633 versus 1474 ml, P < 0.05). Reticulocytes increased from 46 x 10(3)/microliters (median) to a maximum of 94 x 10(3)/microliters on day 7 in group I, and from 44 x 10(3)/microliters to 108 x 10(3)/microliters in group II on day 14. Serum ferritin decreased from 122 micrograms/l (median) to 82 micrograms/l in group I, and from 140 micrograms/l to 77 micrograms/l in group II. These parameters did not differ statistically between the two groups. Intra- and postoperative blood loss amounted to 2175 ml (median) in group I versus 1430 ml in group II (P < 0.05). The perioperative hemoglobin concentration was similar in the two groups. Homologous transfusion requirements were similar in the two groups (1 unit in group I, vs 3 units in one patient and 1 unit in two patients in group II). CONCLUSIONS. Short donation intervals resulted in a higher preoperative erythrocyte mass after similar preoperative deposit, and significantly higher blood loss was tolerated with similar homologous transfusion volume.

Erythropoietin levels in patients depositing autologous blood in short intervals.

Plasma immunoreactive erythropoietin (EPO) concentrations were studied in ten patients (7 men, 3 women) predonating autologous blood for hip arthroplasty. Donations were scheduled on day 1, 3, 7, 14 (and 21 if four units could not be donated previously). A predonation hemoglobin concentration of 11 g/dl was required. The donations led to a decline of the hemoglobin concentration from 14.1 +/- 1.0 g/dl (X +/- SD) prior to donation to 11.0 +/- 0.9 g/dl on day 15. EPO concentration prior to donation was 17.6 +/- 2.6 mU/ml. Each phlebotomy was followed by a rise in EPO levels that reached a peak concentration within 1 day. The highest concentration (35.8 +/- 15.0 mU/ml) was measured on day 16. The peak concentration was followed by a plateau at lower, although still elevated levels after the first and second donation, and by a slow, continuous decline after the third and fourth donation. This particular time course is similar to that during weekly donations [15]. The time integral of the EPO concentration during the first 3 weeks, however, was greater in the present study. This increased availability of EPO early during donation may lead to a more efficient stimulation of erythropoiesis.

Protocol for studying depth of anesthesia using the spectral edge frequency.

The preliminary results of a multicenter study designed to determine the utility of the processed EEG in combination with heart rate and blood pressure for estimating anesthetic depth are reported. The study is planned to include 1,000 ASA I, II, and III patients undergoing surgery with at least a 60-minute duration of anesthesia. The preliminary results indicate that the use of EEG and clinical signs may provide better control of anesthetic depth. The study design provides ideal conditions for determining whether spectral edge frequency is a useful criterion for management of routine general anesthesia in a typical clinical environment.

Serial immunoreactive erythropoietin levels in autologous blood donors.

The variations in plasma erythropoietin (EPO) concentration during preoperative deposit of autologous blood were studied in 12 patients (8 men, 4 women). Four donations were scheduled at weekly intervals. A predonation hemoglobin concentration of 11 g per dL (110 g/L) was required. Hemoglobin concentration decreased from 14.3 +/- 1.1 g per dL (143 +/- 11 g/L) (mean +/- SD) before the first donation to 11.7 +/- 0.7 g per dL (117 +/- 7 g/L) on Day 22 (p less than or equal to 0.0001). Reticulocyte counts increased from a median of 31,800 (range, 4900-95,000) per microL (median, 32 x 10(9)/L [range, 5-95 x 10(9)/L]) to 93,800 (16,800-194,900) per microL (median, 94 x 10(9)/L [range, 17-195 x 10(9)/L]) on Day 28 (p less than or equal to 0.01). Plasma EPO concentration was 17.8 +/- 5.1 mU per mL prior to the first donation and displayed a small and transient peak after each donation. A sustained elevation followed each peak. Although plasma EPO concentration differed significantly from the baseline value after the first donation, only the peak concentrations after the second (35.5 +/- 15.5 mU/mL), third (38.0 +/- 14.5 mU/mL), and fourth (36.1 +/- 11.0 mU/mL) donations exceeded the normal range. The moderate, biphasic increase in plasma EPO concentration and the moderate increase in erythropoiesis suggest two strategies in autologous blood donation that should be investigated with respect to efficiency and safety: 1) more aggressive donation schemes, which reduce donation intervals and/or the minimum hemoglobin concentration and 2) the administration of recombinant human EPO.

[Intra- and postoperative autotransfusion in hip joint surgery. Effectiveness, bacteriology]. / Intra- und postoperative Autotransfusion in der Hüftgelenkchirurgie. Effektivität, Bakteriologie.

The efficiency of intraoperative and postoperative autotransfusion with a cell separator, the elimination of a cephalosporin administered for prophylaxis of infection and bacterial contamination of the blood retransfused were studied in 56 patients undergoing hip arthroplasty (n = 33) or exchange reoperation of hip arthroplasty (n = 23). Intraoperatively only a limited amount of the lost erythrocytes could be retransfused: in hip arthroplasty 250 ml (median) packed red cells of 700 ml blood loss, in exchange reoperation 750 ml of 2200 ml. Postoperative autotransfusion was more effective: during the autotransfusion period (until 6 h after the beginning of the operation) 375 ml of 650 ml and 500 ml of 830 ml could be retransfused in the two groups. Cefuroxime was eliminated effectively from the autologous blood by the cell washing process, usually below the limit of detection. In the washed autologous red blood cells of 3 patients (= 5.4%) bacterial contamination could be demonstrated in low titres (less than or equal to 10/ml). No clinical signs of bacteremia were observed during retransfusion. Postoperative autotransfusion contributes considerably to the total amount of autologous erythrocytes retransfused. Bacterial contamination of the processed autologous blood is infrequent and probably without clinical significance.

[A comparison of autologous transfusion procedures in hip surgery]. / Vergleich autologer Transfusionsverfahren in der Hüftgelenkchirurgie.

The risks associated with transfusion can be minimized with autologous blood. The efficiency of preoperative deposit, preoperative hemodilution and intra- and postoperative autotransfusion in reducing homologous transfusions has been demonstrated. There seem to be few studies, however, that compared the different methods of autologous transfusion. This study was designed to evaluate the comparative efficiency of these methods. PATIENTS AND METHODS. Sixty-four patients scheduled for total hip arthroplasty were randomly divided into four groups: group I--preoperative autologous deposit: group II--preoperative hemodilution; group III--intra- and postoperative autotransfusion; group IV--control. Preoperative autologous donations were stored in CPDA-1 buffer. Three units of 450 ml were requested. A predonation hemoglobin (Hb) concentration of 11 g dl was required. Surgery was carried out in the 5th week after the first donation. Preoperative hemodilution to Hb 9 g/dl was carried out after induction of anesthesia and initial circulatory stabilization. A cell separator was used for intra- and postoperative autotransfusion. Postoperative autotransfusion of drainage blood was continued until 6 h after the beginning of the operation. Polygeline was used for volume resuscitation. If the Hb concentration fell below 9 g/dl in the operating room and intensive care unit or below 10 g/dl in the general ward, autologous blood or homologous packed red cells were transfused. Autologous blood collected with the cell separator was retransfused at the end of the operation and after the autotransfusion period irrespective of the actual Hb concentration. RESULTS. The general data of the patients, blood loss, and Hb concentration at the beginning of the study and postoperatively were comparable in the four groups. Homologous transfusion requirements amounted to 0 (0-1250) ml (median, range) packed red cells in group I (preoperative deposit). 500 (0-2000) ml in group II (hemodilution), 125 (0-1000) ml in group III (autotransfusion) and to 500 (0-1500) ml in group IV (control). In group I 14 of 16 patients, in group II 1 of 16, in group III 8 of 16 patients, in group IV 5 of 15 patients did not require homologous transfusion. The difference between group I and IV was significant (p = 0.004 and p = 0.003). Global coagulation tests, antithrombin III, and total serum protein were comparable in the four groups. DISCUSSION. The efficiency of preoperative hemodilution to reduce homologous transfusion requirements is limited]. In the present study, as in two other recent studies, hemodilution did not reduce homologous transfusion requirements. Autotransfusion with a cell separator can save approximately 50% of the erythrocytes lost during hip arthroplasty and 70% of the drainage loss. The homologous transfusion requirements for the autotransfused group reported here were less than in the control group; the difference, however, was not statistically significant. Patients participating in preoperative autologous deposit did not require homologous blood for hip arthroplasty in 62%-70% of cases in other investigations; in the present study 88% of the patients did not require homologous blood. CONCLUSION. Under the conditions studied, preoperative autologous deposit was the most efficient method of autologous transfusion for hip arthroplasty. It should be employed primarily.

PC-based training system for clinical use of a lung ventilator.

The intention of this work was to create a simple instrument for training in the operation of a lung ventilator and the understanding and interpretation of the lung-mechanical relationships between the flow and pressure curves produced by a ventilator in a patient's lung. The task was solved in a phragmatical way by storing respiratory curves in an 'acquisition' phase and reproducing them in the later 'stimulation' phase. The user can choose the following parameters: type of ventilation (flow control, pressure control, SIMV), inspiratory minute volume, inspiratory pressure, respiratory rate, percentage inspiratory time and PEEP.

[Preoperative autologous blood deposit and liquid storage for replacement arthroplasty]. / Präoperative Eigenblutspende mit Flüssiglagerung bei künstlichem Gelenkersatz.

Transfusion of homologous blood components is associated with immunological (incompatibility, alloimmunization, immunosuppression) and infectious risks (hepatitis, cytomegalovirus, HIV and other agents). Endoprosthetic surgery of the hip and knee frequently requires transfusion. Preoperative deposit of autologous blood can reduce homologous transfusion requirements. The simplest method is liquid storage of whole blood. In order to re-examine the efficiency of our present scheme of preoperative deposit, we studied patients scheduled for endoprosthetic surgery with respect to the amount of blood deposited, stimulation of erythropoiesis, and homologous blood requirements at the time of operation. PATIENTS AND METHODS. Sixty-seven consecutive patients (33 men, 34 women) scheduled for endoprosthetic replacement of hip or knee or for revision arthroplasty of the hip were studied. Patients with anemia, coagulopathies, coronary heart disease, severe obstructive or restrictive pulmonary disease, cerebral sclerosis, syncopes and seizures were excluded from preoperative deposit. Patients deposited 450 ml at weekly intervals, with occasionally slightly higher or lower volumes. A patient was temporarily deferred when the hemoglobin concentration prior to donation fell below 11 g/dl. Blood was collected in CPDA-1 buffer. The aim was a deposit of three units. In patients undergoing exchange reoperation of a total hip arthroplasty, intra- and postoperative autotransfusion with a cell separator was employed in addition to preoperative donation. RESULTS. The age of the patients ranged from 43 to 83 years (mean +/- SD: 61.2 +/- 9.1). The differences between men and women with respect to height (172.9 +/- 6.8 vs 160.6 +/- 7.4 cm; p less than or equal to 0.001), weight (75.7 +/- 11.2 vs 69.1 +/- 11.0 kg; p less than or equal to 0.05), calculated blood volume (p less than or equal to 0.001), and erythrocyte volume prior to donation (p less than or equal to 0.001) were significant. A total of 185 units was deposited. Men donated 1350 (450-1970) ml blood (median, range) and women 1260 (340-1450) ml (p less than or equal to 0.01). Hemoglobin concentrations decreased significantly from an average of 14.7 g/dl in men and 13.8 g/dl in women prior to donation to 13.4 g/dl and 12.3 g/dl preoperatively (p less than or equal to 0.0001 for both groups). The donation was not associated with serious complications. For 4 patients the scheduled operation was deferred for a longer term. Forty-six patients (23 men, 23 women) underwent total hip arthroplasty, 12 (4 men, 8 women) exchange of total hip arthroplasty, and 5 (3 men, 2 women) endoprosthetic knee surgery. In total hip arthroplasty men required 0 to 500 ml homologous packed red cells (median=0), women 0 to 1250 ml (median=0;p less than or equal to 0.05). Thirty-nine (69.6%) of the patients, 19 (82.6%) men and 13 (56.5%) women, did not require homologous transfusion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[The place of intra- and postoperative autotransfusion in the exchange of a hip endoprosthesis]. / Stellenwert der intra- und postoperativen Autotransfusion beim Austausch einer Hüftgelenkendoprothese.

Intraoperative autologous transfusion with a cell separator is being employed to an increasing extent in orthopedic procedures associated with high blood loss, including surgery for exchange total hip arthroplasty. Postoperative loss of blood via drains after exchange total hip replacement is also considerable. To our knowledge, there are only unpublished reports on postoperative autotransfusion in this type of surgery. In this study the role of intra- and postoperative autotransfusion is investigated.

[Numbness of the lower lip following general anesthesia]. / Taubheit der Unterlippe nach Allgemeinanaesthesie.

UNLABELLED: Injuries to nerves of the head occur infrequently following general anesthesia. Lesions of the facial and mental nerves have been reported. CASE REPORT: A healthy 40-year-old woman was scheduled for derotation osteotomy of the left femur. The previous medical history included ten uneventful general anesthetics mainly for abdominal and orthopedic surgery. Routine preoperative investigations were unremarkable. The patient received midazolam for premedication. Induction of anesthesia was carried out with thiopental and succinylcholine. Ventilation with the anesthesia mask was difficult, and considerable pressure was exerted on the mask. Intubation of the trachea was accomplished on the second attempt after additional doses of thiopental and succinylcholine and intermittent manual ventilation by mask, which lasted for 5-6 min. The further course of anesthesia was uneventful. The surgical procedure lasted for 1 1/2 h. On the 1st day after anesthesia the patient noticed numbness of the lower lip. Perception of temperature and touch was impaired. The area of paresthesia/anesthesia corresponded to the area of innervation of the upper branches of the mental nerves. Complete remission occurred within 6 weeks. DISCUSSION: Injury to nerves of the head due to pressure applied during anesthesia is infrequent. Lesions of branches of the facial nerve--mainly the marginal mandibular branch--have been reported. We found only two case reports of injury to the mental nerve in the literature. In general, long lasting anesthesia delivered via face mask preceded the injury. It was frequently difficult to retain airway patency.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Calculation of the allowable blood loss before transfusion with a programmable pocket calculator]. / Berechnung des zulässigen Blutverlustes vor Transfusion mit einem programmierbaren Taschenrechner.

Introduction. The amount of blood loss during surgery that requires transfusion is frequently estimated with a linear formula (1) using blood volume--calculated on a volume per weight basis--, preoperative hemoglobin concentration, and an established minimum hemoglobin concentration. This formula, however, underestimates allowable pretransfusion blood loss, because it implies that all blood lost contains the initial hemoglobin concentration. In addition, hemodilution by infusion therapy prior to surgery is usually not taken into consideration. Methods. In order to estimate allowable pretransfusion blood loss more accurately and conveniently, a program was developed for a programmable pocket computer. This program calculates (number of equation in parenthesis): blood volume (2a, 2b) expansion of blood volume prior to surgery (3) hemodilution prior to surgery (4) allowable blood loss during isovolemic hemodilution (5). The applicability of the program to the situation during orthopedic operations was tested in a study in which allowable pretransfusion blood loss was estimated for one group of patients and was calculated with the computer program for another group of patients. Eighty patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery were studied. After preoperative evaluation the attending anesthetist established a minimum hemoglobin concentration and the type of cardiocirculatory monitoring to be used. Patients were divided at random into two groups: for one group blood volume was estimated on a volume per weight basis and allowable blood loss was calculated using equation (1); for the second group allowable blood loss was calculated with the computer program. During the evaluation of the data the computer calculations were also carrier out for group 1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Complications of anesthesia in elderly patients]. / Komplikationen der Anaesthesie bei Patienten im höheren Lebensalter.

Progress in surgery and anesthesia has contributed to lowering operative risk and expanding the indications for operations in higher age groups. The goal of treatment in the elderly is to achieve the best possible degree of reducing discomfort and increasing personal independence. Methods. A brochure with a clinical study on 1,021 patients chosen at random shows the frequency of complications arising during the peri- and post-operative course in patients around 60 years of age and older. Operative areas were general and emergency surgery, vascular surgery, neurosurgery, and urology. Operations were carried out in regional or general anesthesia. Patients were divided into groups below and above age 60. Evaluation of the data was carried out according to an integrated data processing concept. This program enables quantitative and qualitative data to be combined at will, taking into consideration that evaluating criteria can be varied considerably. Results. The results demonstrate that patients over 60 have significantly more complications than patients under 60. Analysis of the influence of the factors associated with surgical risk reveals that factors related to the operation such as type, length, and extent do not increase the risk as much as the numerous accompanying illnesses in both age groups. As far more elderly patients are affected by multimorbidity, the conclusion may be drawn that the increased risk observed is not due mainly to age, but rather to the patient's condition prior to surgery. The results indicate clearly that an exact analysis of the initial condition as well as avoiding failure or malfunction of certain organs must have priority in both age groups.

[Complement activation following head and brain trauma]. / Komplementaktivierung durch das Schädel-Hirn-Trauma (SHT).

The prognosis for a patient with a severe head injury is dependent not only upon the location and the degree of this trauma, but also upon additional complications. For example, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) can occur because of the thromboplastic activity of the damaged brain tissue that enters the circulation. The complement (C) system is activated by certain enzymes that cleave the clotting factors. Therefore, after head injuries we searched for C activation because it could result in the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Patients and methods. We had two groups of patients: (1) 23 with large destruction and (2) 13 with little destruction of the brain tissue. Eighteen patients in group 1 and 8 in group 2 had isolated brain trauma. Blood samples were taken--upon arrival at the hospital and then 1, 3, 7, 12, 24, and 48 h later; after that we took weekly blood samples up to the completion of their treatment in the intensive care unit. We measured the total hemolytic serum C activity (CH50), activation of alternative pathway hemolysis (APH50), cleavage products C3a and C3d, and total protein. Furthermore, we studied the coagulation parameters of the extrinsic (prothrombin time) and intrinsic (partial thromboplastin time) pathways and fibrinogen content. From the patients records we extracted clinical parameters such as neurological status, intracranial pressure, pathological details on computer tomography hemoglobin and arterial-alveolar oxygen difference. Results. Figure 1 shows the different reactions of the C system in both groups: while patients of group 1 suffered from a decrease in total and alternative hemolytic activity, the other group increases in both parameters.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)