Oligoclonal measles virus-specific IgG antibodies isolated from cerebrospinal fluids, brain extracts, and sera from patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis and multiple sclerosis

Measles virus-specific antibodies were isolated from sera, cerebrospinal fluids (CSF), and brain extracts of patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) and multiple sclerosis (MS) by absorption with measles antigens and subsequent acid elution of the antigen-antibody precipitates. Electrophoretically homogeneous measles antibodies were isolated from CSF or brain extracts in five patients with SSPE and in five out of seven patients with MS. Homogeneous IgG antibodies were also demonstrated in the sera from all SSPE patients and from three of the MS patients. The antibodies isolated from various control sera and from pooled CSF were electrophoretically heterogeneous. The results support the concept of a local synthesis in the nervous system of oligoclonal IgG antibodies to measles virus in all patients with SSPE and in some patients with MS. In SSPE, most or all oligoclonal IgG proteins of the CSF or brain carry measles antibody activities. In MS, only part of the oligoclonal IgG appears to be associated with measles antibody activity.     

The relation between physician and patient age in family practice

A study of 100 selected Wisconsin family physicians demonstrated that younger physicians generally had more contact with younger patients, middle-aged physicians had an even distribution of patient age contacts, and older physicians had more contact with older patients. The increase in older patients became pronounced for 56 to 60-year-old physicians. Generally a ten-year increase in physician age was accompanied by a five-year increase in patient age. The rising average age of the American population, combined with the direct physician-patient age relationship demonstrated here suggest that geriatrics will become increasingly relevant not only in the continuum of medical education but also for the individual practicing physician.     

First therapeutic experience with cis-platinum(II)diamindichloride (NSC 119875) in metastasizing ovarian and testicular carcinoma

Ten patients with metastatic testicular or ovarian carcinoma were treated with cis-platinum II diaminedichloride. All had received prior chemotherapy with other agents. A therapeutic effect was seen in 7 cases, though it was of short duration in all instances. The drug proved to be very nephrotoxic and caused marked bone marrow depression. The future of this highly effective cytostatic agent, either with different dosage schedules or in combination with other drugs, is discussed. The possibility of new platinum derivatives with a better therapeutic index is also mentioned.     

The "bad" left ventricle. Results of coronary surgery and effect on late survival

Between 1968 and 1971, 252 patients with severe ventricular malfunction underwent revascularization surgery. By means of single-plane ventriculography, the ventricle was divided into six segments, three anteriorly and three inferiorly, and ejection fractions were calculated. Patients were classified into four groups according to these observations. Results were assessed in regard to relief of angina, graft patency status, surgical mortality rate, and survival as determined by actuarial life-table analysis. These results were then compared to over-all medical and surgical experience contained in the Milwaukee Cardiovascular Data Registry as well as to other reported series of medical treatment for similar degrees of coronary artery disease and impairment of left ventricular function. Comparison between the surgical and medical series suggests improved survival and improved quality of life in the surgically treated patients. Thus many patients with severe ventricular malfunction, especially if associated with angina, can be reasonably considered candidates for surgery.     

Freshly frozen preserved plasma for the treatment of intravascular coagulation in polytraumatized patients

Coagulation disorders in hemorrhagic shock need not represent an isolated intravascular coagulation. They may also occur as a complex of local disseminated intravascular consumption, extravascular consumption, dilution, and reduced synthesis of coagulation factors. In the severely bleeding patient with hemorrhagic diathesis heparin is contraindicated because it does not normalize coagulability. Therefore, it fails to stop hemorrhage and shock remains untreatable. Fresh frozen plasma, however, has proved to be suitable as simultaneous substitution therapy of coagulopathy and of hypovolemic shock. 11 patients suffering from traumatic-hemorrhagic shock associated with intravascular coagulation and hemorrhagic diathesis were successfully treated with fresh frozen plasma, after conventional shock therapy had failed over a period of hours.     

Prolonged endotracheal intubation or tracheostomy in children (author's transl)

Five patients with subglottic tracheal stenosis following prolonged endotracheal intubation are reported. To minimize tracheal stenosis the indications for prolonged intubation should be well defined and tracheostomy considered as an alternative. The incidence of tracheal stenosis following prolonged intubation is stimilar to that following tracheostomy. The risk of stenosis increases with the duration of intubation, the degree of physical trauma to the laryngotracheal mucosa (suction, tube changing, restlessness), infection of the trachea or larynx, and with the age of the child. Prolonged intubation necessitates sedation and intensive care. Tracheostomy has a higher mortality but this and the risk of stenosis depend greatly on the operative technique. Particularly in cases where prolonged intubation increase the risk of tracheal stenosis, the advantages of tracheotomy become evident. Tracheostomised children rarely need sedation, the tracheobronchial tree can be easily and carefully toileted and the changing of the tube is without risk. Neither method is absolutely preferable, but the correct application of both will minimise the complication rate. The indications for each may be summarised as follows: for primary treatment of acute respiratory distress in children prolonged intubation is the treatment of choice. If after 3 days there is no chance of extubation, tracheostomy should be considered but this depends also on the child's age and behaviour, and on the laryngotracheal mucosal reaction. The younger the child the more cautiously should tracheostomy be considered. Children under 2 years of age should only be tracheostomised if there is no alternative.