The pulmonary response of C5 sufficient and deficient mice to Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Neutrophils have been shown to be important in the clearance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from murine lungs. The mechanisms responsible for the neutrophil influx into the lungs, however, remain poorly defined. This study was undertaken to define the contribution to this inflammatory process by the C5 molecule or its fragments. Congenic C5 sufficient (B10.D2/nSn) and CS deficient (B10.D2/oSn) mice were challenged by intrapulmonary administration of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Differences in survival of the 2 strains of mice were noted over a 6-day period. In addition, host response was assessed at 6-, 24-, and 48-h time points by histologic examination, analysis of cells from pulmonary lavage, analysis of cells in the peripheral blood and culture of the lungs and blood of challenged mice. Mortality was consistently higher in C5 deficient mice. Neutrophil accumulation within the lung was greater at the 6-h time point in the C5 sufficient mice, and greater at the 48-h time point in the C5 deficient mice as demonstrated by both lavage and histologic examination. Differences in neutrophil accumulation could not be explained by differing blood neutrophils concentrations in the mice before challenge, or a lack of mobilization of neutrophils into the peripheral circulation after challenge in the C5 deficient mice. An early lack of clearance of the bacteria from the lungs of the C5 deficient strain was documented. We conclude that the C5 molecule and its phlogistic fragments are important neutrophil chemotaxins in murine lungs exposed to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and, quantitatively, may be the most important early stimulus for neutrophil accumulation in this model.

Techniques of administration of metered-dose aerosolized drugs in asthmatic children.

The use of medications in metered-dose aerosol form in children with asthma has increased dramatically with the development of safer, inhaled beta 2-adrenergic agents and the inhaled corticosteroid, beclomethasone dipropionate. However, the most appropriate techniques of administration of these agents are presently unclear, and frequent inefficient use of these metered-dose inhalers results. We review the aerosol physiology literature to determine and recommend a most efficient inhalation technique for the use of these metered-dose aerosol devices.

A comparison of cell-mediated immunity and suppressor T-cell function in asthmatic and normal children.

The role of general and suppressor T-cell function was investigated in a group of twelve children with atopic asthma and ten non-atopic control children. Studies of active E rosettes, lymphocyte stimulation, and delayed type skin responsiveness revealed no statistically significant group differences. Data obtained employing a concanavalin A-induced, suppressor T-cell assay revealed that the asthmatics generated significantly less suppressor cell activity than did the normal control group. There was no correlation between lack of suppressor cell function and serum IgE levels. The results of this study support the concept of suppressor T-cell dysfunction in atopic disease.

Correlation of metabolic and chemiluminescent responses of granulocytes from three female siblings with chronic granulomatous disease.

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) from children with atypical chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), their mother and siblings, and normal controls were studied in regard to glycolytic and hexose monophosphate shunt activities in the resting, methylene blue-stimulated, and phagocytizing states. PMNL from the patients with CGD had normal glycolytic and hexose monophophate shunt activities in the resting state and after stimulation with methylene blue. However, stimulation of the hexose monophosphate shunt after phagocytosis was greatly decreased. These data were correlated with studies of both initial rate and integral counts of chemiluminescence. The chemiluminescent response from patients with atypical CGD was also greatly decreased. This decreased response probably reflects a defect in the oxidative destruction of the phagocytized microbe and correlates well with the decreased activity of the phagocytically activated hexose monophosphate shunt. The defect in generation of radical species of oxygen, singlet oxygen, and chemiluminescence by leukocytes from patients with CGD is discussed.

Primary small bowel plasmacytoma with intracellular fibrils.

This is a report of a rare plasma cell tumor, an extramedullary plasmacytoma arising in the small bowel. The tumor first occurred in the jejunum without evidence of multiple myeloma. One year later, classical signs of multiple myeloma appeared. The rarity and unusual course of this tumor plus the finding of intracellular fibrils make the case worthy of note.