Massive neuronal destruction in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) encephalitis. A clinico-pathological study of a pediatric case.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) encephalitis in children with AIDS includes a diffuse white matter disease associated with an inflammatory cell infiltrate that features multinucleated giant cells. Cerebral cortex is relatively preserved and only focal loss of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum has been observed. We describe a case of encephalitis in a child with AIDS in which there was massive and diffuse destruction of the cerebral cortex with severe neuronal loss, marked inflammatory perivascular infiltrate with abundant multinucleated cells and large pleomorphic reactive astrocytes. Similar findings were present in the basal ganglia. Moreover, the cerebellum disclosed a complete loss of Purkinje and granule cells. These findings could not be related to an ischemic mechanism or to an associated opportunistic infection. Electron microscopy showed numerous HIV particles. This case illustrates a different pattern of CNS involvement by HIV and emphasizes the destructive capacity of this neurotropic virus for neural tissue.

[Plasma and platelet serotonin in children with essential headache]. / La serotonina plasmatica e piastrinica in bambini con cefalea essenziale.

We examined the haematic concentration of 5 HT in idiopathic headache in children. We observed plasma and platelet 5 HT concentration in 18 migrainous patients free from painful crisis, and we compared the results with a control group of 20 clinically healthy children. No significant variation was noted in plasma 5 HT concentration between the two groups. The data are more difficult to interpret on the platelet because of the slight statistical difference (0.1 greater than p greater than 0.05). However we think suggestive the possible existence of persisting platelet anomalies in migrainous children and this hypothesis can be verified in a larger number of children free from painful crisis.

Rectal administration of sodium valproate in children.

A study of VPA based on a comparison of mean plasma levels, plasma peak latency times and plasma half-lives after rectal and oral administration was conducted in 9 children between 6 months and 10 years of age suffering from various forms of epileptic seizure, before they received chronic VPA treatment. Each child received an oral dose of 20 mg/kg and after two days a rectal dose of 20 mg/kg and the mean plasma concentrations were determined at intervals for both modes of administration. An identical plasma concentration for both after 24 h showed that the quantity of drug absorbed was the same. The mean half-life varied according to age: 11 +/- 2 h for children over 3 years of age and 9 +/- 1 h for those under 3. The results of the study, in line with the few other available published data, thus confirm the validity of rectal VPA administration.

[Plasma benzylamine oxidase activity. I). Clinically healthy pediatric subjects]. / Attivita' benzilaminossidasica plasmatica - I) soggetti in eta' pediatrica clinicamente sani.

Plasma benzylamine oxidase has been determined in clinically healthy children. No differences exist between females and males. Inhibition by penicillamine and isoniazide shows a close dependency of enzymatic activity by the presence of copper and pyridoxal phosphate.

[Relation among plasma dopamine beta-hydroxylase, monoamine oxidase and Cu++]. / Relazione fra dopamina-beta-idrossilasi, monoaminossidasi e Cu++ nel plasma.

Dopamine-beta-Hydroxylase and Monoamineoxidase are two plasmatic enzymes whose activity is Cu++ dependent. D beta H and Mao activity and Cu++ concentration has been dosed in plasma of 30 different aged subjects, using spectrophotometric methods. The obtained results show the presence of a direct correlation between MAO and Cu++, and an inverse correlation between D beta H and Cu++.

[Platelet monoamine oxidase activity in some neurological diseases of childhood]. / Attività monoaminossidasica piastrinica in alcune malattie neurologiche dell'infanzia.

In this work, we examined platelet MAO activity in 25 children with various neurological disorders and compared them with 30 control subjects. We found that platelet MAO activity changed in children with headache and very little in children with epilepsy and mental retardation. It is very difficult to interpret these results; therefore further works are needed to clarify platelet enzymatic activities.

Behçet syndrome: report of two early-onset cases treated with transfer factor.

Report of two cases of Behçet syndrome in children, one with the features of a neuro-Behçet syndrome and the other with chiefly severe ocular changes. Both children were treated with transfer factor when previous treatment had proved ineffective. Some years after the beginning of treatment, which is still continuing, transfer factor may be said to be of value in Behçet syndrome.

Multicenter study of childhood headache.

This multicenter study reports the results obtained between 1990 and 1991 by the Study Group for Childhood Headache of the Italian Neuropediatric Society. Standardized computerized case sheets were used in order to increase the number of young patients studied and obtain more homogeneous results. A clinical diagnosis of headache was made in 600 patients (314 female and 286 male) between 4 and 12 years of age, in accordance with the classification set down by the International Headache Society. Clinical symptoms and follow-up were more severe in children with migraine as opposed to headache. No sequence of associated neurological and neurovegetative symptoms was observed at onset of headache, and some (phono-photophobia, pallor, drowsiness, abdominal pains) were much more prevalent than others. Because of the patient's age we studied only the treatment of acute attack and did not take account of chronic treatment. In childhood the clinical course of primary headache tends to improve spontaneously, and we believe that prevention of headache attacks should be carried out only in very rare individual cases.