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Biomedical subjects

A I Manjra

Publications and source records attributed to A I Manjra.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Efficacy of nebulized fluticasone propionate compared with oral prednisolone in children with an acute exacerbation of asthma.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of nebulized fluticasone propionate (FP Nebules) compared with oral soluble prednisolone in children with an acute exacerbation of asthma. The study used an international, multi-centre, randomized, double-blind, parallel group design. Three hundred and twenty-one patients, aged 4-16 years old, who presented with an acute exacerbation of asthma, were randomly allocated to either nebulized FP (1 mg b.d.) or oral prednisolone (2 mg kg(-1) day(-1) for 4 days then 1 mg kg(-1) day(-1) for 3 days) for 7 days. Patients in the FP group showed a significantly greater increase in diary card morning peak expiratory flow (PEF) over 7 days compared with patients in the prednisolone group (difference = 9.51 min(-1), CI = 2.1, 16.8, P = 0.034). Similar increases for both treatments were shown for evening PEF. Clinic PEF improved with both treatments, but was significantly greater in patients taking FP after 7 days (difference = 11.41 min(-1), CI = 2.8, 20.0, P = 0.029). Both treatments reduced symptom scores to a similar extent. The two treatments were well tolerated, and there was no difference in the incidence of adverse events. The present study demonstrated that nebulized FP is at least as effective as oral prednisolone in the treatment of children presenting with an acute exacerbation of asthma.

Acute Disease↗

Accumulation of house-dust mite (Der-p-1) levels on mattress covers.

Mattresses serve as a large reservoir for house-dust mite antigens and harbour the highest mite levels within the household. Mite reduction measures have previously been shown to be unsuccessful. The effect of mattress covers and acaracides on Der-p-1 levels in the mattresses of 60 patients with mite-allergic asthma was studied. Der-p-1 levels were measured using monoclonal antibodies (ELISA method). Baseline levels were recorded and re-assessed at 8-week intervals over a 6-month period. Patients were randomised into three equal groups. In group A mattresses were treated with Metsan (Snowchem) and benzylbenzoate only; group C had their mattresses covered with mattress covers (Allergy Control Products). Group B was the control group. We were unable to demonstrate any reduction of mite levels in the beds of all 3 groups. In fact all 3 groups demonstrated an increase in Der-p-1 levels over the study period, viz. group A (mean pre: 14.28, post: 34.18 micrograms/g dust); group C (mean pre: 8.26, post: 20.80 micrograms/g dust) and group B (mean pre: 18.21, post 38.47 micrograms/g dust). However, 12 patients in group C had their mattress covers washed in hot water at weekly intervals over a 5-week period at the end of the study. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in mite levels (mean pre: 41.95, post: 26.2 micrograms/g dust; P = 0.027). We therefore conclude that the use of mattress covers per se does not reduce Der-p-1 levels. The regular application of benzylbenzoate and Metsan does not prevent the accumulation of Der-p-1 on mattresses either.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Fatal neonatal meningitis and ventriculitis caused by multiresistant Achromobacter xylosoxidans. A case report.

Meningitis and ventriculitis in a 6-day-old neonate caused by a Gram-negative glucose-non-fermenting organism, Achromobacter xylosoxidans, was resistant to most antibiotics except ceftazidime and imipenem. The organism became resistant after 28 days treatment with ceftazidime. When the infant was 7 weeks old, imipenem became available but, in spite of 3 days of intravenous treatment, the organism was still recovered from ventricular cerebrospinal fluid and the child died. This would appear to be only the second report of neonatal meningitis caused by this organism.

Alcaligenes↗