The lactate, lysozyme, C-reactive protein and serum amyloid-A protein concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid were measured in 11 patients with bacterial meningitis, 27 patients with aseptic meningitis and in 31 control patients. The mean concentration of each parameter was significantly higher (p less than or equal to 0.0001) in patients with bacterial meningitis than in those with aseptic meningitis or those without meningitis. The reliability of these tests in the differential diagnosis of bacterial and aseptic meningitis was compared with leucocyte counts in cerebrospinal fluid. Gram staining for bacteria, and protein and glucose levels. The cerebrospinal fluid lactate level proved to be more sensitive than lysozyme. C-reactive protein or serum amyloid-A protein and had a high degree of specificity.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Diagnostic significance of pleural fluid lactate concentrations.

Lactate concentrations in the pleural fluid and plasma of 57 patients with pleural effusions were measured by an enzymatic method. The mean pleural fluid lactate concentrations were significantly higher in patients with empyemas and rheumatoid arthritis than in patients with tuberculosis, cancer, non-specific pleural effusions and congestive heart failure. Pleural fluid lactate concentrations correlated significantly with pleural fluid lactate dehydrogenase activities and inversely with pleural fluid glucose concentrations. An elevated pleural fluid lactate concentration is not diagnostic for empyema, as most patients with rheumatoid arthritis and some with tuberculosis and cancer also show high values.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

High density lipoprotein cholesterol in haemorrhagic hyperlipidaemia in rabbits.

The effects of repeated bleeding (15 ml/day/kg b.wt. on 3 consecutive days) on plasma lipids, especially on high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol were studied in rabbits. As a result of the bleeding, plasma triglycerides (TG) increased from a mean of 0.61 (SD range 0.34-1.09) mmol/l to 2.86 (1.16-7.12) mmol/l (P less than 0.02). Plasma total cholesterol (TC) increased from 1.4 +/- 0.5 (SD) mmol/l to 2.0 +/- 0.5 mmol/l. The concentration of HDL-cholesterol, however, decreased from 0.72 +/- 0.16 mmol/l to 0.48 +/- 0.23 mmol/l (P less than 0.02). The HDL-cholesterol/TC ratio decreased from 0.57 +/- 0.17 to 0.29 +/- 0.15 (P less than 0.05). In connection with the haemorrhagic hyperlipidaemia a negative correlation (P less than 0.01) appeared between plasma TG and HDL-cholesterol. It is concluded that hypoxia, being the primary cause of haemorrhagic hyperlipidaemia, may be one factor regulating HDL-cholesterol concentrations and thereby possibly the development of atherosclerosis.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of immune complexes on plasma HDL-cholesterol in rabbits.

The effect of immune complexes on plasma lipids, especially on high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, was studied in rabbits. In rabbits immunized twice with bovine serum albumin (BSA) with an interval of about 6 weeks, a significant decrease in plasma HDL-cholesterol (P less than 0.01) and in the HDL/total cholesterol ratio (P less than 0.02) was found 6 days after the second BSA injection. As a result of repeated bleedings commenced 6 days after the second BSA injection, the changes in plasma triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) were similar to those found previously in non-immunized rabbits. In contrast to the findings in non-immunized rabbits, no significant decrease in HDL-cholesterol was found as a consequence of the bleedings, but a negative correlation (P less than 0.05) between plasma TG and HDL-cholesterol appeared. It is concluded that immune complexes may affect plasma HDL-cholesterol concentrations and thereby possibly also the development of atherosclerosis.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in radiologists exposed to ionizing radiation.

To investigate whether low dose ionizing radiation caused perturbation of peripheral blood lymphocytes in radiology unit staff, the T-helper/suppressor ratio was examined in eight radiologists exposed to low dose radiation over a period of 6 to 27 years (mean 12 years). No significant difference was noted in the T-cell subsets between exposed radiologists and non-exposed control subjects. The effect of low dose ionizing radiation on peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets seems to be virtually negligible. Further, measurement of the T-helper/suppressor ratio is not a reliable way of demonstrating any damage to bone marrow caused by low dose ionizing radiation.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Angiotensin-converting enzyme, lysozyme, beta-2-microglobulin and adenosine deaminase in sarcoidosis.

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Adenosine Deaminase↗