We are reporting the case of an 18-month-old girl with a post-pneumonic lung abscess. The counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) of the patient's urine during the bacteremic phase of the disease gave a precipitation line with pneumococcal antiserum. Later in the course of the disease, after the diagnosis of lung abscess had been established, the pus drained from the abscess gave positive reactions with pneumococcal omnivalent serum and type 3 pneumococcal antiserum. At this stage, the pus was sterile and blood cultures were negative. This case demonstrates that the CIE test is a simple procedure which gives a rapid and exact diagnosis up to the serotype level.

Counterimmunoelectrophoresis↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Pulmonary involvement in Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in families.

The transmission rate and the clinical and pulmonary manifestations of serologically proven mycoplasma infections were reviewed in 34 patients from 11 families consisting of 30 children and adolescents aged 1 to 18 years, and four parents aged 30 to 41 years (total number of family members = 59:37 children, 22 adults). Twenty-seven of the 37 children had pulmonary involvement (73%). The total infection rate was 58%, and the infection rate in children 81%. The roentgenologic findings in children with pneumonia showed no pathognomonic features. The most common X-ray finding was bronchopneumonia (48%). Pulmonary infiltrates occurred in six children (20%) under four years of age. Three of the children (10%) had severe clinical and/or radiological manifestations. These findings depict a pattern of mycoplasma infection that is different from previous reports, i.e. high pulmonary infection rates in families, the occurrence of pneumonic infiltrations in young children and a quite severe clinical and radiological course in some of the patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Influence of laser irradiation on the constant composition kinetics of enamel dissolution.

The influence of 9.6 microm CO2 laser irradiation on enamel dissolution kinetics was investigated using a constant composition method designed for rate measurements of enamel dissolution as a function of depth, on a micrometer scale. In contrast to lower irradiation intensities (< or =1.0 J cm(-2)), which consistently showed reduced dissolution rates, higher fluences (energy per surface area) resulted in initially increased dissolution rates, which rapidly decreased, after dissolution times corresponding to removal of a few micrometers, to rates similar to those acquired using lower fluences. It was also demonstrated that surface damage during laser irradiation could be limited to the first 1-2 microm by lowering the number of pulses per spot during the irradiation procedure. The constant composition method can be used to measure detailed kinetics of inhibition of acid dissolution of dental enamel that has been treated by low fluence 9.6-microm CO2 laser irradiation.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Assessment of fetal thyroid function by colored Doppler echography.

BACKGROUND: The association of hyperthyroidism and pregnancy is a rare but serious condition which can jeopardize fetal outcome. Classical follow-up relies on: serial clinical and echographic assessment; serial funipuncture to determine fetal thyroid status, and maternal propylthiouracil (PTU) treatment to treat fetal and/or maternal hyperthyroidism. CASE: We report the case of a euthyroid patient with Graves' disease who had already been delivered of two hyperthyroid fetuses; the present pregnancy revealed a hyperthyroid fetus diagnosed by funipuncture. Echography showed a fetal goiter at 28 weeks of gestation (WG) with important signal on colored Doppler echography. We observed an extinction of this signal as maternal PTU treatment was intensified. The patient was delivered of a mildly hyperthyroid newborn at 37 WG. Both newborn and patient are doing well. CONCLUSION: Fetal thyroid assessment by colored Doppler echography could help in the management of fetal thyroid dysfunction.

Adult↗