ENTOZYME? IN TREATMENT OF PSORIASIS

Entozyme,® a pancreatic extract taken orally, was used in 36 cases of psoriasis previously recalcitrant to other treatment. In 24 cases this extract was the only treatment given, and good response occurred in 19 cases within 4 weeks to 3 months, with complete clearing in four cases. In 11 of 12 cases in which local treatment was supplemented by Entozyme, lesions cleared in 2 weeks to 3 months or longer.     

团体心理咨询对甲减患者焦虑抑郁情绪的影响

目的:探讨团体心理咨询对甲减患者焦虑、抑郁情绪的影响,为改善甲减患者心理健康状况提供参考依据。方法:选择2014年1月至2016年1月在我院确诊为甲减后焦虑、抑郁的60例患者,按照随机数字表法分为对照组(n=30)和研究组(n=30)。对照组给予常规药物治疗,研究组在对照组基础上给予6周的团体心理咨询治疗。治疗后6周、3个月测量两组患者的甲状腺功能情况,并对比治疗前、治疗后6周及治疗后3个月两组的汉密尔顿焦虑量表(HAMA)评分和汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD)评分,另外治疗后3个月比较两组患者的满意度。结果:治疗后6周对照组甲状腺功能正常24例,异常6例,研究组正常25例,异常5例;治疗3个月两组甲状腺功能正常均为30例,两组患者治疗后6周、3个月的甲状腺功能情况比较无统计学差异(P0.05)。治疗后6周、3个月两组HAMA、HAMD评分较治疗前降低,且研究组较对照组的评分更低(P0.05)。治疗后3个月研究组患者满意度为96.67%(29/30),明显高于对照组的66.67%(20/30)(P0.05)。结论:团体心理咨询在甲减后焦虑、抑郁患者的治疗中的作用明显,可显著改善患者的心理健康状况,提高患者的满意度。     

Protective mechanism of Lygodium flexuosum extract in treating and preventing carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic fibrosis in rats

The protective effect of Lygodium flexuosum extract in preventive and curative treatments of CCl(4) induced fibrosis was quantified. Hepatic fibrosis was induced in male Wistar rats by CCl(4) administration (150 microL/100 gm rat weight, oral) twice a week for 10 weeks. In preventive treatment daily doses of L. flexuosum n-hexane extract (200 mg/kg, p.o) were administered for 10 weeks. In curative treatment L. flexuosum extract (200 mg/kg, p.o) was given for 2 weeks after the establishment of fibrosis for 10 weeks. Treatment with the n-hexane extract (200 mg/kg) reduced the mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines, growth factors and other signaling molecules, which are involved in hepatic fibrosis. The expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, transforming growth factor-beta1, procollagen-I, procollagen-III and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 were elevated during carbon tetrachloride administration and reduced the levels to normal by the treatment with the extract treatment. The increased levels of matrix metalloproteinase-13 in extract treated rats were indicative of the protective action of L. flexuosum n-hexane extract. In conclusion, L. flexuosum n-hexane extract functions as a potent fibrosuppresant, effectively reverses carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic fibrosis in curative treatment and reduces the effects of ongoing toxic liver injury in preventive treatment by promoting extracellular matrix degradation in the fibrotic liver.     

The complement fixation test in vaccinia with antigens from the brain,the testis and the skin

Summary Eight antigens, prepared from the brain, the testis and the skin of rabbits after the tissues had been inoculated with vaccinia virus, have been compared in the complement fixation test with vaccinia-immune-sera. It was rare that a serviceable antigen could be prepared from the brain. Antigens from the testis and the skin were always active, but the activity of the former surpassed that of the latter. The best results were obtained with a saline extract 1 : 100 of freshly removed testis; when frozen this extract may be kept for some weeks. In the sera of vaccinated rabbits and of a monkey complement fixing antibodies could be detected regularly, even 3 months after vaccination. In sera of men, who had been revaccinated more than 3 months earlier, this was only rarely the case.     

Development of glial cells cultured from prenatally alcohol treated rat brain: Effect of supplementation of the maternal alcohol diet with a grape extract

The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of supplementation of a maternal alcohol diet with a grape extract on glial cell development. Glial cells were cultured during 4 weeks from cortical brain cells of the new born offspring in DMEM medium supplemented with fetal calf serum. Enzymatic markers of nerve cell development were measured (enolase isoenzymes and glutamine synthetase). Since alcohol consumption produces free radicals the antioxidant system superoxide dismutase was also investigated. Compared to the decrease found in only alcohol treated animals, all parameters except neuron-specific enolase were antagonized and even stimulated after grape extract supplementation. The effect was more important after only 1 month than 3 months of treatment. Also in the total brain an alcohol antagonizing effect and a glutamine synthetase activation were found. Our data demonstrate that addition of a grape extract to the maternal alcohol diet may partially or completely overcome the alcohol induced retardation of glial cell development.     

HIFU治疗子宫腺肌病142例的临床疗效分析（附12例妊娠病例）

目的：评价高强度聚焦超声（highintensityfocusedultrasound,HtFU）治疗子宫腺肌瘤的临床疗效及安全性。方法：选取2007年12月--2012年12月在我院行H删治疗的142例子宫腺肌病患者,治疗后连续1、3、6、12个月随访,评价患者病灶的超声影像学变化及临床症状的改善情况。结果：治疗后,有效随访118例,彩超检查显示治疗后第1个月子宫体积平均缩小35％,第3个月缩小59％,第6个月缩小85％,第12个月缩小80％。110例经量增多的子宫腺肌病患者中,3例在治疗后12个月经量恢复正常水平,45例在治疗后12个月经量明显减少,基本恢复正常值,68例在治疗后12个月经量较治疗前明显减少,但仍高于正常值;2例在治疗后12个月经量变化不大,总有效率为98．3％。118例痛经的子宫腺肌病患,34例在治疗后随访的12个月内痛经消失,80例在治疗后随访的12个月内仍有轻度痛经,4例在治疗后随访的12个月内仍有中度以上痛经,总有效率为96．6％。随访过程中发现12例再妊娠病例。结论：HIFU治疗子宫腺肌病具有安全,有效,并发症少的特点,且不影响患者妊娠,能够满足患者保留子宫、再生育的需求。可作为一种无创治疗子宫腺肌病的有效治疗方法。     

Advances and challenges in predicting the impact of lymphatic filariasis elimination programmes by mathematical modelling

Background

Infection with the filarial nematode Onchocerca volvulus can lead to severe dermatitis, visual impairment, and ultimately blindness. Since the currently used drug, ivermectin does not have macrofilaricidal or strong permanent sterilising effects on the adult worm, more effective drugs are needed to complement the use of ivermectin alone. Wolbachia endosymbiotic bacteria in filariae have emerged as a new target for treatment with antibiotics which can lead to long -term sterilization of the adult female filariae.

Methods

In the Central Region of Ghana, 60 patients were recruited, allocated into four groups and treated with 200 mg doxycycline per day for 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks respectively. Untreated patients served as controls. Some of the treated patients and the untreated controls were given 150 μg/kg ivermectin 8 months after the start of doxycycline treatment.

Results

A follow up study 18 months post treatment showed that when using doxycycline alone there was a significant reduction of microfilarial (mf) loads in patients treated for either 4 or 6 weeks. However, there was no significant difference between the untreated controls and those given the 2 weeks regimen. Although no significant difference was demonstrated between the 4 and 6 weeks regimens, there was a trend observed, in that, microfilarial reduction appeared to have been greater following the 6 weeks regimen. Twelve months after ivermectin (i.e. 20 months after doxycycline) treatment, 8 out of 11 ivermectin-alone treated patients were mf-positive. In contrast, 1 out of the 7 patients treated for 4 weeks with doxycycline and none of the 4 patients treated for 6 weeks doxycycline (who were available for re-examination) were mf-positive after the combined treatment of doxycycline plus ivermectin treatment.

Conclusion

Treatment of onchocerciasis with doxycycline for 4 weeks is effective. Nonetheless, mf reduction appeared to be greater in the 6 weeks regimen. It is recommended that until further studies are carried out i.e. 4 weeks treatment with doxycycline is proven equivalent to the 6 weeks, selected groups of onchocerciasis patients should be treated for 6 weeks with doxycycline. As discussed earlier, this treatment should be accompanied by two doses of ivermectin.     

The use of cryopreserved arteries as arterial vascular prostheses]

The aim of the study is investigation of possibility to bypass small and medium-size arteries with cryopreserved artery allografts, storing 7-10 days at -196 degrees C under the protection of 15% dimethylsulfoxide. In experiments on 40 rabbits were placed a region of the left renal artery by cryopreserved bioprosthesis. Graft patency was 80% after observation up to 6 months. By angiography it was 8 cases of graft thrombosis (all during the 1st week after implantation) and 5 cases of moderate graft dilation (in 4 of them it was accompanied with stenosis of distal anastomosis). In 20 dogs we replaced a region of the femoral artery by cryostoring bioprosthesis. It was only one case of graft thrombosis which occurred on month 2 after the implantation during 1-year follow-up. After 3 months in 3 cases there developed 3 cases of diffuse narrowing of graft lumen without decreasing of blood flow through the prosthesis. Later, the graft lumen did not change. Histological investigations have revealed a viability of cryopreserved vessels, its almost complete de-endothelialization at 3 days and total re-endothelialization 2 weeks after implantation. During the first 2 weeks there were morphological events of graft rejection, which disappeared after 3 months.     

诺维本联合希罗达方案与紫杉醇、顺铂方案治疗晚期乳腺癌的疗效对比

目的:比较诺维本联合希罗达方案(NF方案)和紫杉醇联合顺铂方案(TP方案)治疗晚期乳腺癌的疗效及安全性。方法:将117例经病理证实的晚期乳腺癌患者随机分为两组,第一组66例采用紫杉醇135mg/m~2,第1天静点,顺铂20mg,第2-6天静点,21天为一个周期。第二组51例采用诺维本25mg/m~2,第1,8天静点,希罗达2500mg/m~2,每天2次,连服14天,21天为一个周期。两组均以三个周期为一个疗程,至少接受两个疗程化疗。结果:TP组总有效率为42-4%(28/66);NF组为60.8%(31/51),p<0.05。TP组中位无进展时间7.7个月,中位生存时间为16.6个月。NF组分别为10.3个月和22.1个月,p<0.05。恶心呕吐的发生率NF组明显低于TP组,p<0.05。其余不良反应发生率相近,p>0.05。所有不良反应均能耐受。结论:诺维本联合希罗迭方案疗效较好,可作为晚期乳腺癌首选治疗方案。     

Effects of Miniscalpel-Needle Release on Chronic Neck Pain: A Retrospective Analysis with 12-Month Follow-Up

Objective

Chronic neck pain is a highly prevalent condition, and is often treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Limited clinical studies with short-term follow-up have shown promising efficacy of acupuncture as well as miniscalpel-needle (MSN) release. In this retrospective study, we examined whether MSN release could produce long-lasting relief in patients with chronic neck pain.

Methods

We retrieved the medical records of all patients receiving weekly MSN release treatment for chronic neck pain at this institution during a period from May 2012 to December 2013. Only cases with the following information at prior to, and 1, 6, and 12 months after the treatment, were included in the analysis: neck disability index (NDI), numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), and active cervical range of motion (CROM). The primary analysis of interest is comparison of the 12-month measures with the baseline. Patients who took analgesic drugs or massage within 2 weeks prior to assessment were excluded from the analysis. For MSN release, tender points were identified manually by an experienced physician, and did not necessarily follow the traditional acupuncture system. MSN was inserted vertically (parallel to the spine) until breaking through resistance and patient reporting of distention, soreness or heaviness. The depth of the needling ranged from 10 to 50 mm. The release was carried out by moving the MSN up and down 3–5 times without rotation.

Results

A total of 559 cases (patients receiving weekly MSN release treatment for chronic neck pain) were screened. The number of cases with complete information (NDI, NPRS, and CROM at baseline, 1, 6 and 12 months after last treatment) was 180. After excluding the cases with analgesic treatment or massage within 2 weeks of assessment (n = 53), a total of 127 cases were included in data analysis. The number of MSN release session was 7 (range: 4–11). At 12 months after the treatment, both NPRS and NDI were significantly lower [3 (0, 9) vs. 7 (5, 10) at the baseline for NPRS; [7 (0, 21) vs. 17 (9, 36) for NDI; p<0.001 for both]. All 6 measures of CROM were significantly higher at 12 months vs. the baseline. No severe complications (such as nerve damage and hematoma) were noted.

Discussion

MSN release is effective, even 12 months after the treatment, in patients with chronic neck pain. Caution must be exercised in data interpretation due to the respective nature of the study and lack of a comparator group.     

Clinical and cell kinetic data on the combination of cytosine arabinoside with daunorubicin, isosfamide, thioguanine, and vincristine for remission induction and maintenance in patients with acute myelocytic leukaemia (author's transl)]

31 adult patients (study A) with acute myelocytic leukaemia were treated for remission induction with cytosine arabinoside (ARA-C, 100 mg/m2/day) by a 7 (5) day continuous infusion. 3 (2) doses of daunorubicin (DNR, 45 mg/m2 i.v.) were added at daily intervals. For maintenance 5 day ARA-C was given monthly in sequential combination with DNR, thioguanine (TG), or ifosfamide (IFOS). 16 (52%) patients achieved complete remission (C.R.) after 1.8 (1-3) courses and 6.7 (3-10) weeks from treatment start. The median survival for responders and non-responders was 11.5 months, early death rate within 6 weeks was 3 (10%). Median remission duration was 13.5 months. Among 11 patients surving for 7-22 months 7 patients are in first remission for 5.5-20.5 months. DNR, IFOS and TG were given before the 3rd day of ARA-C infusion. In a previous group of 34 leukaemic patients and in 44 therapy courses DNA histograms of bone marrow cells using pulse cytophotometry showed marked accumulation in S-phase for 75% of courses. Also (G2 + M)-cells in the DNA distribution and thymidine pulse labelling indices were markedly increased in most cases, whereas thymidine uptake by scintillation counter was diminished and mitotic indices had not changed significantly. In now 15 patients (study B) the induction regimen was intensified by adding vincristine (VCR, 2 mg i.v.) and 3 doses of IFOS (600 mg/m2 i.v.). Preliminary results are 50% C.R. after 1,7 (1-2) courses and 6.8 (5-10) weeks from initiation of therapy. 2 patients died in the first 6 weeks.     

Characterization of N-diethylnitrosamine-initiated and ferric nitrilotriacetate-promoted renal cell carcinoma experimental model and effect of a tamarind seed extract against acute nephrotoxicity and carcinogenesis

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the commonest malignancy in adult kidney, lacks of early signs, resulting often in metastasis at first diagnosis. N-Diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-initiated and ferric nitrilotriacetate (FeNTA)-promoted RCC may be a useful experimental model, but it is not well characterized. In this study, histological alterations and oxidative stress markers were analyzed at different times throughout RCC development, histological subtype was re-evaluated in the light of current classification, and a tamarind seed extract (TSE) effect was examined. Male Wistar rats experimental groups were control, TSE, DEN, DEN+FeNTA, and TSE+DEN+FeNTA. TSE was given 2?weeks before DEN administration (200?mg/kg) and throughout the experiment. Fourteen days after DEN treatment, two FeNTA doses (9?mg Fe/kg) for acute nephrotoxicity study, and increasing FeNTA doses (3-9?mg Fe/kg) twice a week for 16?weeks for carcinogenesis protocol, were administered. In acute study, necrosis and renal failure were observed and TSE ameliorated them. Throughout carcinogenesis protocol, preneoplastic lesions were observed since 1?month of FeNTA treatment, which were more evident at 2?months, when also renal cysts and RCC were already detected. RCC tumors were obtained without changes in renal function, and clear cell histological subtype was identified in all cases. 4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal and 3-nitro-L: -tyrosine levels increased progressively throughout protocol. TSE decreased both oxidative stress markers and, although there was no statistical difference, it delayed RCC progress and decreased its incidence (21?%). This study brings an insight of the time course events in this carcinogenesis model, identifies clear cell subtype and establishes TSE renoprotective effects.     

液氮冷冻联合兰科肤宁治疗孕妇尖锐湿疣的临床效果评价

目的:评价液氮冷冻联合兰科肤宁治疗孕妇尖锐湿疣的临床疗效与安全性。方法:回顾性分析我院收治的46例患有尖锐湿疣的孕妇,平均年龄为27岁,妊娠平均18周。每例患者的病灶数为5~18个。应用液氮枪喷涂于皮损,液氮枪距皮损2-3 cm,喷雾时间60秒,重复操作直至喷嘴霜化。将蓝科肤宁喷涂于单层纱布,敷于皮损部位20分钟,每天2-3次,共1周。分别于治疗后1月、3月观察皮损愈合情况,评价治疗效果。结果:治疗5天后,皮损均治愈,所有患者除有轻度至中度疼痛外,无其他不适。治疗后1个月,满意度94%;治疗后3个月,满意度为87%。无色素脱失或瘢痕形成,无任何严重不良事件。每位孕妇均分娩出一个健康的婴儿,无分娩相关并发症。治疗后1个月,只有1例病人复发,复发率为2.2%。治疗后3月,5例复发,复发率为10.9%。结论:液氮冷冻联合蓝科肤宁治疗孕妇尖锐湿疣的近期疗效较好,安全性较高。     

Calcium metabolism in premenopausal women treated by a Gn-RH agonist for uterine myoma

Eleven premenopausal women with uterine myoma who received 300 micrograms of intranasal Gn-RH agonist (buserelin) three times daily for 6 months participated in this study. Serum estradiol, some parameters related to calcium metabolism and bone mineral density of the lumbar vertebrae assessed by quantitative computerized tomography were evaluated prior to, at the end of and 3 months after the treatment. Hypo-estrogenism was sustained during the treatment period. Calcitonin levels decreased rapidly after the first 2 weeks of the treatment and the fasting urinary hydroxyproline to creatinine excretion value increased in 1 month. Both serum alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin increased slightly during the treatment. The serum m-parathyroid hormone levels showed no significant changes. There was no significant reduction in the mean lumbar vertebral bone mineral content (BMC) at the end of the treatment, but 4 out of 11 cases showed a decrease in BMC, which returned to the pretreatment level in 3 months after the cessation of treatment. From these findings, this therapy appears to have some effects on calcium metabolism during medication, but no adverse ones in the 3 months after treatment.     

Antiangiogenic effect of Lygodium flexuosum against N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

The antiangiogenic effect of Lygodium flexuosum extract was evaluated in Wistar rats intoxicated with N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) in preventive and curative models. In preventive groups, NDEA was administered for 20 weeks. Daily doses of L. flexuosumn-hexane extract (200mg/kg) started 1 week before the onset of NDEA intoxication and continued for 20 weeks. In curative animals, NDEA was administered for 20 weeks followed by treatment with the n-hexane extract of L. flexuosum for 28 days. Rats intoxicated with NDEA had elevated levels of serum gamma-GT, AST, ALT, LDH levels and hepatic MDA and decreased levels of hepatic GSH. When treated with L. flexuosum extract had normal levels of gamma-GT, AST, ALT, LDH levels, hepatic MDA and GSH. NDEA administered rat liver showed an overexpressed levels of angiopoietins 1 (Ang-1) and 2 (Ang-2) and its receptor Tie-2 mRNA. L. flexuosum extract treatment significantly (p相似文献   

Recent findings of green tea extract AR25 (Exolise) and its activity for the treatment of obesity.

The green tea extract AR25 is an 80% ethanolic dry extract standardized at 25% catechins expressed as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). In vitro, green tea extract AR25 exerts a direct inhibition of gastric and pancreatic lipases and a stimulation of thermogenesis. In an open study, the effects of extract AR25 were evaluated in moderately obese patients. After 3 months, body weight was decreased by 4.6% and waist circumference by 4.48%. These results suggest the green tea extract AR25 to be a natural product for the treatment of obesity, which exerts its activity by several ways: inhibition of lipases and stimulation of thermogenesis.     

Hydroethanolic extract of Psidium guajava leaf for induced osteoarthritis using a guinea pig model

We investigated the therapeutic effects of an extract of Psidium guajava (guava) leaf on experimentally induced osteoarthritis in guinea pig. The left knee of 30 male guinea pigs was anesthetized and the cranial cruciate ligament was severed. The animals were followed for 8 weeks until osteoarthritis was confirmed by radiography and histopathology. Animals were divided randomly into five groups; group 1, the ligament was severed and untreated; group 2, the ligament was severed and treated with piascledine, an extract of soybean and avocado; group 3, the ligament was severed and treated with 200 mg/kg hydroethanolic extract of guava; group 4, the ligament was severed and treated with 400 mg/kg hydroethanolic extract of guava; and group 5, control animals without surgery or extracts. Radiological and histopathological evaluations after 8 weeks showed reduced severity of osteoarthritis in the piascledine treatment group compared to group 1. The guava extract also reduce the severity of osteoarthritis compared to controls. Histopathological examination of treatment and control groups showed that treatment the guava extract improved lesions significantly. Hydroethanolic extracts of guava leaf appears to prevent osteoarthritis by inhibition of free radical formation in the knee joint.     

Potential economic impact of using a proprietary willow bark extract in outpatient treatment of low back pain:An open non-randomized study

An open, non-randomised, study (postmarketing surveillance) was carried out on three groups of patients aged 18 to 80 presenting over an 18 month period with acute exacerbations of low back pain. The objective was to assess the possible economic impact of including a regular dose of proprietary willow bark extract (Assalix) in the treatment provided. A first group of 115 patients, presenting to 3 general practitioners in the first 3 months, was prescribed a daily dose of extract containing 120 mg of salicin (group W120). They also had access, if necessary, to the range of conventional treatments allowed for in the general practitioners' budgets. A second group of 112 patients presenting to the same general practitioners over the next 15 months, was prescribed extract equivalent to 240 mg salicin per day (group W240). A third "control" or "comparator" group of 224 patients, presenting to 3 orthopedists (specialists in physical medicine) over the whole 18 month period, received only the conventional therapeutic options allowed in the orthopedists' budgets (Group C). In the group C patients, the exacerbations had been shorter but the pain had been more intense as judged by Arhus Index and Total Pain Index. After 4 weeks of treatment, about 40% of group W240 patients were free of pain whether or not they had to resort to supplementary treatments. In group W120 as a whole, about 19% of patients were pain-free at 4 weeks, but only 8% of those who did not resort to supplementary treatment. In group C, 18% of patients were painfree. These findings were reflected reasonably well in the changes in the Arhus Index and Total Pain Index, and the findings in group W240 were consistent with those in a previous randomised controlled trial. Multivariable modelling to examine for possible confounding effects tended to identify membership of group W240 as an independent explanator of better pain relief than membership of group C. Though the measures of effect tended to be similar in group W120 as a whole and group C, the avoidance of more expensive conventional treatments in group W120 meant that the average cost per patient of treatment was reduced by about 35-50% (health service and private costings respectively). The better pain relief in group W240 was accompanied by an even smaller reliance on supplementary conventional treatments than in group W120 but the extra savings on these were outweighed by the extra cost of the additional Assalix so that the average cost per patient was reduced by 14-40% of the costs in group C. The possibility is discussed that, if orthopedists had relied more on regular full dosing with NSAIDs, they might have increased the effectiveness and reduced the cost of their treatment, though with the possibility of more side effects. Substituting established NSAIDs with COX-2 inhibitors might reduce the side effects, but at greater cost than with the Assalix.     

Enhancement of reaginic and hemagglutinating antibody production by an extract of Bordetella pertussis containing histamine sensitizing factor.

The effect of an extract containing the histamine-sensitizing factor (HSF) of Bordetella pertussis on the immune response of mice to ovalbumin was investigated with respect to dose of antigen and adjuvant. Of particular interest was the enhancement of reaginic antibody production. In comparison to the Al(OH)3 induced production of reaginic antibody where low doses of antigen and adjuvant yield high titers of reagin, the HSF extract demonstrated optimal adjuvant activity at high doses of both adjuvant and antigen. The reaginic antibody response was maximal usually by 2 to 3 weeks post-immunization and persisted for long periods of time. The hemagglutinating antibody response was maximal at 8 to 10 weeks post-immunization. The initial treatment of mice with HSF extract plus antigen resulted in the production of memory cells since a subsequent immunization with ovalbumin alone evoked a secondary reaginic response. These observations may have implications in clinical allergy since substances similar to the pertussis factor might be produced by other microbial organisms and these substances could modulate the immunologic response of individuals to common allergens.