A case is described of sudden unilateral deafness associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The hearing function of the patient returned to normal on the third day of treatment with tetracycline. M pneumoniae is a common causative agent of protean respiratory disease and the true incidence of hearing loss in these cases may be higher than reflected by the occasional reports. Therefore, appropriate laboratory studies should be included in the evaluation of sensorineural loss associated with diverse infections of the respiratory tract. Prompt diagnosis facilitates the administration of specific treatment. However, the actual contribution of tetracyclines to restoration of hearing cannot be assessed.

Child↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Amyloidosis of Waldeyer's ring. A clinical and ultrastructural report.

Amyloidosis of the tonsil is a rare condition and amyloidosis of Waldeyer's ring has not been previously reported. The present study describes a case of amyloidosis of the tonsil, nasopharynx and base of tongue in a 35-year-old patient in otherwise good health and without clinical symptoms. The possibility of systemic amyloidosis was excluded by clinical examination and biopsy of rectal and buccal mucosae. Electron microscopy showed the presence of typical amyloid fibrils. Large masses of the fibrils were closely surrounded by cells which appeared to be phagocytic. The ultrastructure of these cells is described. This case is considered to be a unique type of organlimited amyloidosis of Waldeyer's ring.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Impairment of cellular immunity in patients with malignant external otitis.

Immunological studies were performed on 4 elderly diabetic patients with Malignant External Otitis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Impairment of cellular immunity was found. Skin tests for delayed hypersensitivity to PPD, SK-SD and Mumps antigen were negative and stimulation rates of peripheral blood lymphocytes by PHA, Con-A and PWM were depressed in all 4 patients. Serum immunoglobulins and complement levels were normal except in one case in which paraprotein IgG was found. Peripheral blood lymphoid cell markers and the neutrophil nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) test were within normal limits in the 2 patients tested. These results indicate that cellular immune deficiency predisposes to the development of Malignant External Otitis in elderly diabetic patients.

Aged↗