[Dental plaque in Helicobacter pylori infection]. / Estudio de la placa dental en la infección por Helicobacter pylori.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the role of Helicobacter pylori infection in dental plaque from 53 children, between 3 and 17 years of age, with recurrent abdominal pain and/or upper gastrointestinal bleeding. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Dental plaque was analyzed by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for a specific internal urease gene (as described by Clayton). Esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy was performed after the dental plaque was obtained and biopsies were taken from the gastric antrium and fundus and analyzed by PCR. An individual interview was performed to know the customs and attitudes about bucodental hygiene. RESULTS: None of the children were positive with the PCR test in dental plaque, while 35 children (66%) had a positive gastric PCR result. CONCLUSIONS: This study does not confirm the hypothesis that dental plaque might act as a reservoir for this microorganism.

[Dermatitis herpetiformis vs. celiac disease]. / Dermatitis herpetiforme versus enfermedad celíaca.

Twenty-nine patients affected with dermatitis herpetiformis (HD), all of whom were on a diet including gluten, were investigated for symptoms of enteropathy. Of these patients, 71% presented severe intestinal lesions, indistinguishable from those found in coeliac disease (CD). However, there were little other clinical manifestations of this finding since only three children in this group had weight and height < or = P3. Of the remaining children, 18% had moderate intestinal atrophy and 10% had normal mucosa or mucosa with negligible changes. When changed to a gluten free diet, the intestinal lesions subsided, dermic lesions disappeared in 17 patients, improved in 8 others and remained the same in the other three patients that were still on variable diets. A study of human leukocyte antigens (HLA) class II showed a total association with Dqw2 and 85% association to DR3, which was identical to the coeliac disease control group. These findings lead one to conclude that HD and CD are different clinical expressions of the same sensitivity to gluten which is associated to an immunological disorder with a common genetic base linked to certain HLA molecules.

[Traumatic rupture of the diaphragm in children: apropos of 2 cases]. / Rotura traumática del diafragma en el niño: a propósito de dos observaciones.

We present two patients with diaphragmatic rupture, right and left respectively, which occurred after thoracoabdominal traumatisms. Comments are made on the increase of this pathology in the pediatric population and the importance of an early diagnosis. We also revise the diagnostic procedures and underline the value of the chest roentgenogram to establish an early diagnosis.

Risk factors in chronic obstructive pulmonary malfunction and "chronic bronchitis" symptoms in Beijing district: a joint study between Japan and China.

A cross sectional study of risk factors in respiratory diseases was carried out in August 1986, in Beijing, China. Inhabitants greater than or equal to 40 years old were selected at random from a rural area, a residential area and an industrial area, using a two stage sampling method. The analysis presented here is based on the sample population of adults who (1) were prepared to be interviewed, using the British Medical Research Council's questionnaire translated into Chinese (n = 3423) and (2) had lung function measurements at the same time (n = 3373). Obstructive lung disease was defined as forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1) less than 68% of forced vital capacity (FVC). Seven variables were considered as potential risk factors or confounding factors: area of residence, sex, age, cigarette smoking, history of respiratory disease, socio-economic status and familial component. A modified binary variable regression method developed by Feldstein was used for the adjustment of rate ratios. The adjusted prevalence of obstructive lung disease was highest in the rural area and lowest in the residential area(s). An increase in age, cigarette smoking, low socio-economic status and positive history of respiratory diseases were associated with significantly higher rates of impaired pulmonary function. The other measured factors did not appear to be related to impaired pulmonary function.