Adenovirus parotitis in patients with AIDS

Adenoviruses are well documented as opportunistic pathogens in patients with immunocompromising conditions, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We recently diagnosed adenovirus infection of the parotid gland in two patients with AIDS. Viral cultures and electron microscopic examinations of parotid tissue were positive in both cases. Adenovirus infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of parotid swelling in HIV-infected patients.

Streptomycin-specific antibody coincident with a developing warm autoantibody

The presence of an antibody with specificity against streptomycin-sensitized red blood cells in the serum of a patient with tuberculous pericarditis is reported. Hemolysis and significant anemia were absent. The antibody appeared to develop together with an evolving warm autoantibody, but was clearly separable from the latter. The streptomycin-specific antibody was "penicillin-like" by being totally neutralized in the presence of streptomycin. Red blood cells had to be separately sensitized with streptomycin prior to incubation with the antibody. The antibody cross-reacted with neomycin-sensitized cells and was also neutralized by the presence of neomycin. In addition, a possible cross-reactivity of the streptomycin-specific antibody and the warm autoantibody is suggested. The association of a drug-induced antibody and autoimmune antibody of IgG type is most unusual. In our experience, we have encountered only one similar example.

Cyclic 3',5'-nucleotide phosphodiesterase; cytochemical localization in rat renomedullary interstitial cells

The localization of cyclic 3', 5' -nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity in rat renal papillae was examined by utilizing cytochemical methods. Renal medullary interstitial cells had predictable phosphodiesterase activity predominantly on the cytoplasmic border of dilated cisternal membranes. Cells of the collecting tubule and loop of Henle contained diffuse reaction product. Capillaries had reaction product localized in pinocytic vesicles. Addition of theophylline resulted in no deposition of reaction product in interstitial cells and in cells of the collecting tubule and loop of Henle, suggesting an inhibition of phosphodiesterase activity. Since the membranes of dilated cisternae of renal medullary interstitial cells have been shown to be related to prostaglandin synthesis and probably to the anti-hypertensive function of these cells, the finding of phosphodiesterase activity on these membranes suggests a possible role of cyclic AMP in these two functions.

Cyclic 3',5'-nucleotide phosphodiesterase: cytochemical localization in cerebral cortex

The distribution of cyclic 3',5'-nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity in rat cerebral cortex was determined by cytochemical methods. The detectable phosphodiesterase activity was localized in postsynaptic (dendritic) nerve endings, most of it immediately adjacent to the synaptic membrane. Most of the postsynaptic nerve endings showed phosphodiesterase activity.