Evaluation of the efficacy of oral cromolyn sodium or an oligoantigenic diet in children with atopic dermatitis: a multicenter study of 1085 patients.

One thousand eighty-five children with atopic dermatitis were enrolled in a multicenter study to evaluate the efficacy of 4 weeks of oral sodium cromoglycate or 4 weeks of a restricted diet. One thousand-eleven children (93%) concluded the study. At the end of the trial there was a significant improvement in skin lesions in the two groups: 61% of the patients in the sodium cromoglycate group and 69% in the restricted diet showed a significant improvement in atopic dermatitis. We concluded that, at least in our experimental design, both sodium cromoglycate and a restricted diet are equally effective in atopic dermatitis.

[Possible contamination of preparation of transfer factor with bacterial endotoxins]. / Considerazioni sulia possible contaminazione con endotossin batteriche di preparazioni di transfer factor.

In order to detect the possible contamination with bacterial endotoxins of some preparations of Transfer Factor, Limulus amebocyte lysate test was performed. The results obtained (TF preparations positive with L.T. for endotoxin assay) call sur detection to evaluate very carefully the immunologic responses in vitro ad in vivo, with these biological products contaminate can induce. In fact, bacterial endotoxins with their multiple potent effect on biologic system, represent a contant possible surce of variability in experimental biology and pathology.

Legionellosis in an infant: first case in Italy.

Among several children admitted in Hospital with febrile acute pneumonia, it has been found - by indirect immunofluorescence assay a significant seroconversion for Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1, compatible with a recent infection, in an 18-month-old boy. The clinical course of the disease was favourable, and a prompt recovery as observed after administration of an antibiotic (cefuroxime) stable to the bacterial beta-lactamase.

[Verification of contamination with bacterial endotoxins in blood derivatives used in coagulative disorders: observations with the Limulus test]. / Sulla verifica della contaminazione con endotossine batteriche in emoderivati utilizzati nell'area coagulativa: osservazioni col limulus test.

The AA. expose the results of an investigation for an in vitro endotoxin assay by Limulus lysate test in blood products employed in coagulative area. The Limulus assay has been shown to be a simple, rapid, accurate and sensitive method of detecting bacterial endotoxin or endotoxin-like material in these biological products.

[Endotoxemia and phagocytic function in premature infants. II. Role of the blood platelets]. / Endotossemia e funzione fagogitaria in soggetti immaturi. II.- Il ruolo delle piastrine.

The AA. have studied the relationship between endotoxaemia, detected in premature children and platelets function, according to the most recent finding, supporting the presence of specific receptors for endotoxin at the surface of thrombocytes. The finding of 6 positive Limulus test on platelets over 7 cases support the ability of clearance from platelets towards endotoxin. Furthermore, the AA. suggest that the presence of endotoxaemia in the plasma is due to an impairment of more complex mechanism, as liver's detoxification, which seems the most important.