[Late results of strictly supervised treatment of patients with newly detected pulmonary tuberculosis]. / Rezultate tardive ale tratamentului strict supravegheat la bolnavii de tuberculoza pulmonara nou descoperita.

The late results are analized, of a strictly supervised treatment of 160 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, of the secondary bacilliferic type, recently discovered, between July 1974 and December 1976. The criterium for assessing the results was the bacteriologic examination. After the first year 144 of the patients became negative (90%), while 16 remained positive (10%). Prolonged treatment, up to 2--3 years also led to negativation of these causes, with the only exception of a single patient that did not cooperate, and who became chronically ill. After one-and-a-half year 2 patients again became positive, of which one died with fulminating hemophytysis, and the second one in cardio-respiratory failure. Another 6 patients became positive after two years, while two other were positive at three years and one each after four, respectively five years. Two are still under treatment, while the remaining patients were all negative for at least two years. At the end of the observation period 155 of the initially 160 bacilliferic patients were considered as solved, and do not raise anti-epidemic problems. It is shown in conclusion that the modern anti-tuberculous treatment can lead to recovery of the majority of patients. Those who are still bacille carriers, or who recidivate, can also be solved by continued treatment for a period of up to 2--3 years. The patients with multiple deficiencies have increased risks to develop relcidives, and they should be followed with perseverance for a long time. The recommended therapeutic regimens are not significantly different from the viewpoint of their efficiency, provided they are administered in a strictly supervised manner. The reactivity of the organism probably has an important role in the efficiency of the modern anti-tuberculous treatment.

Local production of proteins in normal human bronchial secretion.

Concentrations of albumin, IgG, IgA, IgM, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 2-macroglobulin, transferrin, haptoglobin, and coeruloplasmin were determined by radial immunodiffusion in the blood sera and bronchial washings of 8 patients without clinical, radiologic or bronchoscopic evidence of lung diseases. The local production of the proteins was calculated with a formula used by Deuschl and Johansson for the estimation of local synthesis of bronchial immunoglobulins. The formula was completed by a reduction factor established by the authors, based on their previous investigations. The calculations indicated that the individual proteins were secreted locally in various percentages of the total amount found in the secretion, as follows: IgG, 37%; IgA, 84.5%; transferrin, 44.5%, alpha 1-antitrypsin, 15.2%; coeruloplasmin, 11.3%. Local synthesis of IgM was found only in 3 patients. The alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and the haptoglobin do not seem to be secreted locally by the normal bronchial mucosa; they reach the mucus from blood only, through ultrafiltration.

[Studies of the proteins in normal bronchial secretion]. / Cercetari asupra proteinelor secretiei bronsice normale.

Parallel determinations were made, of 10 individual serum proteins and of proteins in the bronchial secretion obtained by aspiration from 8 subjects that did not show manifest bronchopulmonary disease. By application of the formula suggested by Deuschl and Johansson it was found that 37 percent of IgG, 84,5 percent of IgA, 48,9 percent of transferrins, 15,2 percent of alpha-1-anti-trypsin and 11,3 percent of ceruloplasmin present in the bronchial secretion are synthetised in the bronchial mucosa itself, while the rest occur as a result of diffusion from the blood. Acid alpha-1-glycoprotein and haptoglobin from the bronchial secretion originate in the blood. IgM was evidenced in the bronchial aspirate in only 3 subjects, and alpha-2 macroglobulin was not found in any of the subjects.

[Studies of resumption of treatment with rifampin and ethambutol in patients with recurrent pulmonary tuberculosis]. / Cercetari privind reluarea tratamentului cu RMP si EMB la bolnavii de tuberculoza pulmonara recidivata.

The immediate and the late results are analyzed, of resumption of treatment with RMP and EMB in 50 patients with relapsing pulmonary tuberculosis that had not been treated with these drugs previously. After the first year of treatment negativation of the sputum by microscopy and culture was obtained in 45 of the patients, while 5 remained still positive. In the following two years 7 of the negative patients became positive again and finally 8 were solved completely and 4 became chronically ill. The most important of the unfavourable factors were simultaneous radiological and bacteriological relapses and chronic alcoholism. There was no primary or secondary resistance against the drugs used in the treatment. Intolerance to the drugs, although frequent, did not significantly affect the course of the treatment, especially because it occurred only at a later time.

[Study of alpha 1-antitrypsin and alpha 2-macroglobulin in workers exposed to byssinogenic dusts]. / Studiul alfa1-antitripsinei si alfa2-macroglobulinei la muncitorii expusi pulberilor bisinogene.

The level of IgG, IgA, IgM, alpha1-antitrypsin and alpha2-macroglobulin was determined by radial immunodiffusion in 27 workmen in the flax processing industry, exposed to the risk of byssinosis and 33 retired workmen with a diagnosis of byssinosis. The control lot included 26 blood donors. A significant increase in IgM, alpha1-antitrypsin and alpha2-macroglobulin levels was noted in the active workmen; the increase was not significant in the retired workmen. The high IgM levels was brought about by the immunological processes taking place under the influence of the antigenic components of the dust inhaled; the increase in antitrypsin and alpha2-macroglobulin was considered as an acute protein reaction to the presence of inflammatory proteases.