Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to L Endre.
IgE levels of 31 infants who had severe complications after whooping cough vaccination, were determined by RIST. The patients had convulsions, encephalitis or anaphylactic shock symptoms. All but two had elevated IgE levels for their age. It is suggested that, in certain genetically predisposed human beings, pertussis antigen can also induce IgE synthesis, as has already been established in rodents.
The authors treated 228 asthmatic children during a period of 3 years using a randomised scheme. After a short eliminatory trial the choice of preventive treatment was selected randomly using the patient's registration number. Four groups were formed: Hyposensitization, ACTH, DSCG and Ketotifen (Zaditen). Two thirds of the patients ameliorated in each group. According to the subjective opinion of the parents, 30-33% of the patients became symptomfree on each regimen. This figure was 50% in the hyposensitization and ACTH groups (13%). Serious asthma cases with more than 10 attacks in a year improved, mainly after DSCG or Ketotifen (Zaditen) therapy. The evaluation according to a symptom score and pulmonary function test shows definite amelioration in the groups chemoprophylactic drugs. After a change from the original therapy because of a failure, ACTH and Zaditen were the most successful second drug.
The authors selected 28 severe asthmatic children in order to compare the effect of different prophylactic regimens. Patients experiencing at least one wheezing attack per week were included in the study. In a randomized manner, they were allocated Zaditen or Intal. After 8 weeks of active treatment and a 2 week wash-out period, the 2 groups switched over the drugs. Finally non-responders in both groups were placed on a combination of Zaditen and Intal. 44% of all patients preferred Zaditen, 32% Intal and 20% got better only if both drugs were given together. The number and duration of wheezing periods decreased with Intal and Zaditen therapy equally but 44% of patients responded only to one or the other of these drugs. The best results were achieved with combination therapy and 50% of the patients became symptom-free in this manner.