[Varying utilization of glucose and sorbitol in drug-induced hypercortical metabolism]

Utilisation of glucose and sorbitol in medically induced hypercorticalic states was investigated by means of the steroid-glucose-tolerance-test (SGTT) in 9 children, aged 6-16 years suffering from obesity and prediabetes. Prednisolone (1 mg/kg up to 20 mg) was applied 9 and 3 h prior to the loading tests. Blood samples were taken 0, 2, 5, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 min after the onset of the loading tests. During the intravenous infusion of glucose (initial 0,33 g/kg followed by 12 mg/kg/min through 2 h) the mean blood glucose values increased from 103 +/- 15,5 to 388 +/- 96,6 mg/100 ml. Decrease of glycemia began delayed after 90 min, and did not approach the 180 min normal values in 3 of 9 patients. In analogous sorbitol-loading tests performed 2 to 6 days later blood glucose rose from 93 +/- 16,6 mg/100 ml to 129 +/- 28,7 mg/100 ml only. There was a significantly higher blood glucose level on SGTT as compared to steroid-sorbitol loading through the whole test period. Renal losses of glucose after SGTT as well as sorbitol losses after steroid-sorbitol loading amounted to approximately 14% of the doses supplied. The resulting data point to the advantages of combined glucose and non-glucose carbohydrate application for parenteral nutrition in medically induced and postoperative hypercorticalic states of metabolism.

Cell mediated immune (CMI) responsiveness to soluble egg antigen (SEA) and its relation to the occurrence of schistosomal hepatosplenic disease in patients with schistosomiasis mansoni

The delayed intradermal test and migration inhibition tests were used to assess the delayed hypersensitivity in patients with BHF and simple intestinal bilharziasis using SEA. All bilharzial patients gave a positive intradermal test. The specificity of the intradermal test using SEA is demonstrated clearly by the negative response in all control groups.

The treatment of tuberculous meningitis in children with a combination of isoniazid, rifampicin and streptomycin--preliminary report

Twenty two children with tuberculous meningitis were treated with isoniazid, streptomycin and rifampicin and 19 were treated with isoniazid, PAS and streptomycin for at least 18 months. Both groups received corticosteroids at the beginning of treatment. The 2 groups were compared for clinical and neurological improvement, rate of recovery, the presence of neurological sequelae and for mortality. The drug toxicity of both regimens was also compared. The rate of recovery in the first 2 months of treatment was slightly more rapid in group I than in group II and neurological sequelae were less frequent in group I than in group II, but the differences between the groups were not statistically significant. There was very little difference in the death rate in both groups. A high incidence of jaundice was found amongst the children who received rifampicin.

The treatment of tuberculous meningitis in children with A combination of isoniazid, rifampicin and streptomycin (a preliminary report)

Twenty-two cases of tuberculous meningitis have been treated with isoniazid, streptomycin and rifampicin and 19 cases with isoniazid, P.A.S. and streptomycin. Both groups received corticosteroid at the beginning of the treatment. The 2 groups were compared on the clinical and neurological improvement, duration of necessary hospitalization, the presence of sequelae, and the death rate. Also the tolerability of both regimens was compared.

Thyroid function in hepatic schistosomiasis

Serum thyroxine (T4), serum tri-iodothyronine (T3-uptake) and the free thyroxine index in 17 men suffering from hepatosplenic schistosomiasis did not differ significantly from those of ten healthy male controls. There was no correlation between these values and serum protein levels or liver function tests.

Intravenous fat tolerance in hepatic schistosomiasis

The elimination rate of lipid after a single intravenous dose of an artificial fat emulsion was studied in 13 schistosomal patients and 13 controls. A strikingly significant lower level was found in the mean incremental values of TG ten minutes after injection in the schistosomal patients than the controls. The shape of the curve up to 120 minutes after injection was of zero order in the controls but exponential in the schistosomal patients. The possible factors responsible for these differences are discussed.

Portal hypertension

A case of portal hypertension in a 9-year-old Indonesian female child is presented. The diagnosis was made by demonstrating oesophageal vanices radiologically and surgically, and by measuring the portal venous pressure. Portocaval side to side shunt was done resulting in diminishing of the oesophageal varices, disappearance of hypersplenism, and a normal portal venous pressure. Continuous observation is recommended despite the relative good prognosis.

Single dose therapy of trichomoniasis with tinidazole

Tinidazole was used in a single dose of 2.1G for 52 patients found to have Trichomonas Vaginalis infection. Husbands of 28 patients were also treated. The cure rate in 35 cases followed for 4 weeks or more was 100%. The drug was well tolerated.