Allergic contact dermatitis to quinones in Paphiopedilum haynaldianum (Orchidaceae)

An eczematous eruption developed on the hands and forearms of a 68-year-old man after frequent contact with homebred specimens of the lady slipper Paphiopedilum haynaldianum. Patch tests with leaves, petals, and stems, as well as with two quinones isolated from the plant by thin-layer chromatography, gave strongly positive reactions. The results demonstrated that the recurrent skin lesions were the expression of an allergic contact dermatitis due to the quinoid constitutnets, which are the main contact allergens in this orchid species.     

Plasma noradrenaline correlates to sympathetic muscle nerve activity in normotensive man

Recordings of multiunit sympathetic activity were made in muscle branches of the peroneal nerve in 22 healthy subjects at rest in recumbent position. Nerve activity was quantitated in terms of burst incidence (number of pulse synchronous sympathetic bursts per 100 heart beats or per min). In a separate session, 4-45 months later, blood was drawn from an antecubital vein for noradrenaline analysis. Both sympathetic activity and plasma concentrations of noradrenaline varied widely between subjects and both parameters increased with age. There was a significant positive correlation between a subject's level of sympathetic activity and his plasma concentration of noradrenaline. It is suggested that overflow of transmitter from sympathetic terminals in muscles contributes significantly to plasma levels of noradrenaline at rest.     

The use of Haemophilus influenzae type b-tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine mixed with diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine in Gambian infants

In preparation for an efficacy trial of PRP-T Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine, 251 Gambian infants were randomized to receive three doses of PRP-T and diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccines at 2, 3 and 4 months of age, either by separate injections, or combined in the same syringe. One month after the third dose, there was no difference between anti-PRP levels in those infants who received the vaccines separately (GMT 5.83 micrograms ml-1), and those who received the vaccines combined (GMT 5.57 micrograms ml-1). The proportions achieving levels of 1.0 microgram ml-1 were 89% and 92% in the "separate" and "combined" vaccine groups, respectively. There were no significant differences between groups in levels of antibody to diphtheria or tetanus. Geometric mean titres of antibody directed against pertussis antigens in the "separate" and "combined" groups were as follows: pertussis toxin 14.2 and 13.1 ELISA units (EU) ml-1; filamentous haemagglutinin 12.2 and 9.7 EU ml-1; pertactin 17.2 and 9.0 EU ml-1 (P < 0.05), fimbrial 2/3 antigens 449 and 364 EU ml-1. The combination of PRP-T and DTP in the syringe prior to administration is safe and immunogenic. The lower levels of anti-pertussis antibody are of unknown clinical significance.