Tacrolimus ointment does not affect the immediate response to vaccination, the generation of immune memory, or humoral and cell-mediated immunity in children.

BACKGROUND: Concern exists that the prolonged application of immunomodulators to treat atopic dermatitis may cause systemic immunosuppression. AIMS: In a 7-month, multicentre, randomised, controlled trial, we investigated the equivalence of response to vaccination against meningococcal serogroup C disease with a protein-conjugate vaccine in children (2-11 years) with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, by applying either 0.03% tacrolimus ointment (TAC-O; n = 121[corrected]) or a hydrocortisone ointment regimen (HC-O; n = 111). METHODS: TAC-O was applied twice daily (bid) for 3 weeks, and thereafter daily until clearance. 1% hydrocortisone acetate (HA) for head/neck and 0.1% hydrocortisone butyrate ointment for trunk/limbs was applied bid for 2 weeks; thereafter HA was applied bid to all affected areas. At week 1, patients were vaccinated with protein-conjugate vaccine against meningococcal serogroup C, and challenged at month 6 with low dose meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine. The control group (44 non-atopic dermatitis children) received the primary vaccination and challenge dose. Assessments were made at baseline, weeks 1 and 5, and months 6 and 7. The primary end point was the percentage of patients with a serum bactericidal antibody (SBA) titre > or = 8 at the week 5 visit. RESULTS: The response rate (patients with SBA titre > or = 8) was 97.5% (confidence interval (CI) approximately 97.3 to 100), 99.1% (94.8 to 100) and 97.7% (93.3 to 100) in the TAC-O, HC-O and control groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The immune response to vaccination against meningococcal serogroup C in children with atopic dermatitis applying either 0.03% TAC-O or HC is equivalent. Ointment application does not affect the immediate response to vaccination, generation of immune memory or humoral and cell-mediated immunity.

[Comparison of the effect of two budesonide preparations for treatment of bronchial asthma in children]. / Porównanie efektywnosci dwóch preparatów budezonidu w leczeniu astmy oskrzelowej u dzieci.

In a group of 55 children in the age of 7-14 years with mild or severe asthma, the evaluation of inhaled budesonide (in pulmicort and horacort) effect on bronchial reactivity and adrenal cortex function was made. Budesonide in dose 640 mg or 800 mg daily was administered during 6 weeks. In addition fenoterol was administered in dose 2 x 200 mg daily. Lung function tests, a histamine provocation and cortisol level in serum were done before, after 2 weeks and after 6 weeks in the course of treatment. Effective control upon the disease was observed in 67.9% and 70.4% patients. The result of the treatment was significant decrease in bronchial reactivity toward a histamine. Decrease of FEV1-32% and -34% in the first study was improved after two weeks up to -24% and -17% and after six weeks it achieved-12%. The level of endogenous cortisol in serum didn't show significant decrease in the course of therapy. The ratio of benefits and risk of side effects in the course of budesonide in medium dose during six weeks indicates clearly the first ones.

[Prevalence of nasal sinusitis in children with bronchial asthma]. / Wystepowanie zapalenia zatok przynosowych u dzieci chorych na astme oskrzelowa.

UNLABELLED: The analysis of prevalence of nasal sinusitis in 558 children 3-6 years old with various pulmonary diseases was made. In a group of 142 asthmatic children 53 (37.3%) had some alterations in sinuses. In another group of children (n = 91) with other atopic diseases, nasal sinusitis were observed in 18 (19.8%) individuals, but in a group of the children with other non-atopic pulmonary diseases (n = 325), nasal sinusitis was found in only 19 (5.9%) individuals. The correlation between the severity of asthma and prevalence of nasal sinusitis was found. In children with severe asthma the abnormality of sinuses were found in over 76% individuals. CONCLUSION: among young children with bronchial asthma nasal sinusitis can be found in 37.3% individuals and it is far more frequent than among patients with other non-atopic pulmonary diseases (5.9%).

[40 years at the Pulmonary Disease Treatment Center for Children in Karpacz]. / 40 lat Osrodka Leczenia Chorób Pluc Dzieci w Karpaczu.

The history of the Childrens Pneumonologic Center in Karpacz is presented. Development of the center is shown, profile of therapy, and diagnostical methods.

[Spirographic studies and measurement of airflow resistance in evaluation of bronchial hyperreactivity in children with asthma]. / Badanie spirograficzne i pomiar oporów w drogach oddechowych w ocenie nadreaktywnosci oskrzeli u dzieci z astma.

An analysis of spirographic studies and measurement of airflow resistance in diagnosing bronchial hyperreactivity in 27 children with bronchial asthma was made. Histamine was used for provocation tests. Bronchial hyperreactivity was found in 85.2% of the studied children. The most useful for predicting existence of bronchial hyperreactivity proved to be FEV1, FEV, and PEF measurements. After histamine provocation airflow resistance rose from 0.42 kPa/l/s to 0.63 kpa/l/s. that is by 50%. Both tests spirometric and airflow resistance proved to be comparable in 70.4%. Usage of both methods allows a better chance of diagnosing bronchial hyperreactivity.

[Therapy of bronchitis in childhood with Eprazinone (author's transl)]. / Behandlung von Bronchitiden bei Kindern mit Eprazinon.

This study should demonstrate the efficiency of a new bronchosecretolytic substance, Eprazinone, in therapy of acute and chronic bronchitis with children. The following groups of children have been treated: 1) 10 children with acute bronchitis (aged 5-14 years); 2) 12 children with chronic bronchitis (aged 7-14 years). To objectivize the effect of the substance, exact laboratory- and check-up examinations have been done daily. The dose was 3 x 1 tablet/day for school children, for younger children 2 x 1 suppository daily. All children have been treated over 5-8 days. The results of the therapy with Eprazinone in both groups show that -Eprazinone is an efficient remedy to cure symptomatically chronic and acute bronchitis in children. It shows an excellent mucolytic activity.