Red or white wine consumption effect on atherosclerosis in healthy individuals (In Vino Veritas study).

AIMS: Consumption of wine has a protective effect on cardiovascular diseases. Data from prospective, long-term, head-to-head comparisons of effects of different drinks on markers of atherosclerosis have been insufficient. METHODS AND RESULTS: In Vino Veritas (IVV) study is long-term, prospective, multi-centre, randomized trial comparing effects of red and white wine on atherosclerosis. 157 healthy subjects were randomized to white or red wine consumption for one year. We did not find increase in HDL-cholesterol in the whole group (1.66±0.58 vs 1.62±0.49, p=0.180) or difference between both groups (1.60±0.53 vs 1.64±0.46, p=0.634). At 12 months there was reduction of LDL-cholesterol in both groups, but with no difference between the groups (3.37±0.75 vs 3.60±1.10, p=0.134); there was no difference between the groups in total cholesterol, CRP, fasting blood glucose and liver function tests. Both groups had comparable differences from baseline in levels of parameters of oxidative stress. CONCLUSION: We did not find any clinically relevant differences in the lipid profile, CRP, fasting blood glucose and other markers of atherosclerosis, between long-term consumption of red and white wine. Moreover, we were unable to confirm the hypothesis that wine drinking is associated with an elevation of HDL (Tab. 7, Fig. 1, Ref. 30).

A nosocomial outbreak of amoxycillin-resistant non-typable Haemophilus influenzae in a respiratory ward.

A nosocomial outbreak of acute bronchitis due to amoxycillin-resistant, non-typable Haemophilus influenzae occurred in a 23-bed unit, housing patients with respiratory disorders. Within a period of one month, 13 patients and two, previously healthy, members of staff were affected. The isolates were studied for strain relatedness by serotyping, biotyping and major outer membrane protein (MOMP) profiles after SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; 13 of the isolates belonged to the same biotype and MOMP type, indicating cross-infection. Routine throat cultures of all patients and personnel were undertaken. To stop the epidemic, patients and nurses positive for amoxycillin-resistant H. influenzae were isolated or sent home and, if symptomatic, were treated with co-trimoxazole. We stress the importance of early intervention when amoxycillin-resistant H. influenzae strains occur in a ward.

Scoliosis as cause of pulmonary atelectasis.

We present a patients with persistent position-dependent productive cough and intermittent fever. He was first examined at 38 yrs of age. Chest X-ray showed a severe thoracic lordoscoliosis and an atelectasis of the right lower lobe. Bronchography revealed a total stenosis of the right lower lobe bronchus. Five years later had increased symptoms. Spirometry showed total lung capacity (TLC) 3.8 l (predicted value 6.7 l), forced vital capacity (FVC) 2.6 l (4.8 l) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 1.7 l (3.9 l). Bronchoscopy demonstrated a smooth stenosis of the right lower lobe bronchus but the stenosis could be passed through with a brush. Computed tomographic scanning demonstrated compression of the right lower lobe bronchus and the atelectasis. After surgical removal of the right lower lobe, all symptoms disappeared. Histological examination of the right lower lobe revealed fibrosis and chronic inflammation.

Gonarthritis as only manifestation of chronic disseminated histoplasmosis.

A native from Surinam (South America), known to have a chronic gonarthritis for 20 years, died from an acute disseminated histoplasmosis. His gonarthritis was retrospectively shown to have been due to histoplasmosis. Although histoplasmosis rarely presents as a monarthritis, unacquaintance with this entity may result in fatal acute dissemination of the histoplasmosis.

Primary pulmonary manifestation of Hodgkin's disease.

We describe 2 patients with rare primary pulmonary manifestation of Hodgkin's disease. Our 1st patient, who had unilateral pulmonary involvement and has been treated with segmental resection and cyclophosphamide, has survived greater than 18 years without relapse. He is the first patient reported with such a long survival. Our 2nd patient had bilateral pulmonary involvement and B symptoms and has been treated with an aggressive chemotherapy regimen. She is alive after 3 years without evidence of disease.