RNA sulfurtransferase activity in rat liver and chemically induced hepatomas.

RNA sulfurtransferase activity has been detected in rat liver and in hepatomas from rats fed a diet containing 0.06% 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene for 14 to 18 weeks. The reaction measured was the transfer of sulfur from cysteine to acceptor sites in Escherichia coli B transfer RNA (tRNA). Specific activities of the enzymes in liver and hepatoma supernatant fractions were similar, as were the rates and extents of sulfur transfer to tRNA. DEAE-cellulose chromatography of digests of the [35S]tRNA reaction products revealed 3 peaks associated with nucleotide material, the amounts of these peaks differing in tRNA from liver and hepatoma systems. This may suggest differences in specific sulfurtransferases in these tissues.

Successful ketoconazole treatment of protothecosis with ketoconazole-associated hepatotoxicity.

A 46-year-old woman had a chronic, unresponsive wrist infection that was proved to be due to the algaelike organism Prototheca wickerhamii. Treatment with ketoconazole resulted in prompt improvement and ultimate healing. Therapy was complicated by hepatitis that was ketoconazole-related. Ketoconazole may be effective and easily administered therapy for this generally unresponsive infection.

Herpes esophagitis in immunocompetent adults: report of two cases and review of the literature.

This article describes two cases of esophagitis in immunocompetent adults associated with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection. One case presented with pharyngitis and the other with whitlow. A review of the literature revealed 21 other cases in immunocompetent adults; and, of these 21 patients, odynophagia was noted in 19, nine experienced fever, and oral lesions were found in five of these individuals. Barium swallow was positive in 8 of 20 patients tested, whereas esophagoscopy showed ulcers in 17 of the 20 cases. Specimens obtained during esophagoscopy revealed viral inclusions in 13 of the 20 patients tested, and viral cultures were positive in 11 of the 15 patients tested. Although upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage occurred in one patient, symptoms generally resolved within a few weeks whether or not acyclovir was administered.

Adenovirus pneumonia with severe sequelae in an immunocompetent adult.

Notable complications from adenovirus pneumonia in healthy adults are rare. We report a well-documented case of adenovirus type 3 infection in a previously well adult woman that resulted in severe pulmonary complications as well as self-limited ocular, hepatic, and gastrointestinal abnormalities.

Strongyloides-infected patients at Charleston area medical center, West Virginia, 1997-1998.

Twenty Strongyloides-infected patients were diagnosed at West Virginia's Charleston Area Medical Center in 1997 and 1998. We recommend that strongyloidiasis, which can be fatal, be a reportable disease in West Virginia.