Trampoline use as physiotherapy for cystic fibrosis patients

Physicians and physiotherapists who care for CF patients have recommended the use of trampolines as a physiotherapeutic tool for enhancing cardiopulmonary performance, encouraging sputum production, and improving general well-being. Despite some therapeutic and recreational benefits associated with trampoline use, papers in the general pediatric population mostly document an increased incidence of injuries, ranging from minor trauma to spinal cord injuries and even death. The aim of this review is to examine the accumulated published data regarding the use of trampolines, to assess their potential contributions and disadvantages for CF patients, and to define whether trampoline use should be recommended. An extensive search in the published medical literature retrieved approximately 60 articles that primarily dealt with trampolines, out of which only two dealt with CF. The preponderance of these articles are reports pertaining to injuries related to the use of trampolines, with only a few describing the medical, physiologic, and/or psychological benefits of trampolines. Based on the accumulated data, the presumed benefits of trampoline use for CF patients are not proven. Furthermore, the suggested benefits could be acquired using other types of exercise. Weighing the known risks of trampolines against the potential benefits that are not unique to this modality suggests that the use of trampolines for CF should not be recommended.

Serum CA 19?9 levels as a diagnostic marker in cystic fibrosis patients with borderline sweat tests

Patients with normal or borderline sweat tests present a diagnostic challenge. In spite of the availability of genetic analysis and measurement of nasal potential difference, there is still uncertainty in diagnosing cystic fibrosis in some patients. CA 19-9 is a tumor-associated antigen whose levels were previously found to be elevated in some cystic fibrosis patients. We investigated whether serum CA 19-9 levels can contribute to establishing the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis in patients with a borderline sweat test, and evaluated the influence of different clinical variables on CA 19-9 levels. Serum CA 19-9 levels were measured in 82 cystic fibrosis patients grouped according to their genotype and in 38 healthy individuals. Group A included 50 patients who carried two mutations previously found to be associated with a pathological sweat test and pancreatic insufficiency (DeltaF508, W1282X, G542X, N1303K, and S549R). Group B included 13 compound heterozygote cystic fibrosis patients who carried one mutation known to cause mild disease with a borderline or normal sweat test and pancreatic sufficiency (3849+10kb C-->T, 5T). Group C included 38 normal controls. Nineteen cystic fibrosis patients carried at least one unidentified mutation. An association between CA 19-9 levels and age, pulmonary function, pancreatic status, sweat chloride, previous pancreatitis, serum lipase, meconium ileus, distal intestinal obstruction, liver disease, and diabetes was investigated. The distribution of CA 19-9 levels was significantly different between the three groups ( p<0.01); high CA 19-9 levels were found in 60% (30/50) of group Apatients and in 46.6% (6/13) of group B patients, but in only 5.2% (2/38) of the controls. CA 19-9 levels were inversely related to forced expiratory volume in 1 s, while no association was found with the other clinical parameters examined. Our findings suggest that the serum CA 19-9 in cystic fibrosis patients originates in the respiratory system, and has a useful ancillary role, particularly when diagnostic uncertainty exists. Hence, the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis should be considered in patients with borderline sweat tests and high CA 19-9 levels, but normal levels do not exclude cystic fibrosis.

Prediction of mortality and timing of referral for lung transplantation in cystic fibrosis patients

Lung transplantation (Tx) is an optional treatment for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with end-stage lung disease. The decision to place a patient on the Tx waiting list is frequently complex, difficult, and controversial. This study evaluated the current criteria for lung Tx and assessed additional parameters that may identify CF patients at high risk of death. Data were extracted from the medical records of 392 CF patients. Forty of these patients had a forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) less than 30% predicted, and nine of these 40 patients were transplanted. A comparison was performed between the survival of those transplanted (n = 9) and those not transplanted (n = 31), by means of Kaplan-Meier survival curves. The influence on survival of age, gender, nutritional status, sputum aspergillus, diabetes mellitus, recurrent hemoptysis, oxygen use, and the decline rate of FEV(1), were investigated by means of univariate and multivariate analyses. The rate of decline of FEV(1) was evaluated employing the linear regression model. CF patients with a FEV(1)< 30% and who did not receive a lung transplant had survived longer than CF patients who did receive a lung transplant (median survival 7.33 vs. 3.49 yr, 5-yr survival 73% vs. 29%). Two factors--rate of decline in FEV(1) values and age < 15 yr--were found to influence the mortality rate, while the other parameters examined did not. Our results indicate that the current criterion of FEV(1)< 30% predicted, alone is not sufficiently sensitive to predict the mortality rate in CF patients and time of referral for Tx, as many of these patients survive for long periods of time. Additional criteria to FEV(1)< 30%, should include rapidly declining FEV(1) values and age < 15 yr.

Nasal potential difference measurements in patients with atypical cystic fibrosis

The diagnosis of cystic fibrosis (CF) is based on characteristic clinical and laboratory findings. However, a subgroup of patients present with an atypical phenotype that comprises partial CF phenotype, borderline sweat tests and one or even no common cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mutations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of nasal potential difference (PD) measurements in the diagnosis of CF patients with an atypical presentation and in a population of patients suspected to have CF. Nasal PD was measured in 162 patients from four different groups: patients with classical CF (n = 31), atypical phenotype (n = 11), controls (n = 50), and patients with questionable CF (n = 70). The parameter, or combination of nasal PD parameters was calculated in order to best discriminate all CF patients (including atypical CF) from the non-CF group. The patients with atypical CF disease had intermediate values of PD measurements between the CF and non-CF groups. The best discriminate model that assigned all atypical CF patients as CF used: e(response to chloride-free and isoproterenol/response to amiloride) with a cut-off >0.70 to predict a CF diagnosis. When this model was applied to the group of 70 patients with questionable CF, 24 patients had abnormal PD similar to the atypical CF group. These patients had higher levels of sweat chloride concentration and increased rate of CFTR mutations. Nasal potential difference is useful in diagnosis of patients with atypical cystic fibrosis. Taking into account both the sodium and chloride transport elements of the potential difference allows for better differentiation between atypical cystic fibrosis and noncystic fibrosis patients. This calculation may assist in the diagnostic work-up of patients whose diagnosis is questionable.

Serum lipase levels as a diagnostic marker in cystic fibrosis patients with normal or borderline sweat tests

Patients with normal or borderline sweat test present a diagnostic challenge. In spite of the availability of different methods such as genetic analysis and measurements of nasal potential difference, uncertainty in diagnosing cystic fibrosis (CF) in some patients still exists. Neonates with CF have high serum lipase levels, which decline over time in pancreatic-insufficient patients, whereas pancreatic-sufficient patients demonstrate high serum lipase levels beyond infancy. Because patients with borderline or normal sweat test are almost always pancreatic sufficient, this study was aimed to assess whether serum lipase levels may be of help in establishing the diagnosis of CF in these patients. Serum lipase levels were measured in 100 CF patients and in 17 healthy individuals. Patients were grouped according to their genotype. Group A patients (n = 70) carried two mutations previously found to be associated with a pathologic sweat test and pancreatic insufficiency (delta F508, W1282X, G542X, N1303K, S549R). Group B (n = 30) were compound heterozygote patients who carried one mutation known to cause mild disease with borderline or normal sweat tests and pancreatic sufficiency (3849+10kb C-->T, 5T). Group C included 17 healthy controls. Serum lipase levels ranged between 2 and 104.4 U/L (mean +/- SD 16.9 +/- 14.7), 6.1-200 U/L (mean +/- SD 53.9 +/- 47.9), and 8.5-27.8 U/L (mean +/- SD 16.9 +/- 5.1) in Groups A, B, and C, respectively, with some overlapping between groups. The distribution of lipase levels was significantly different in Group B vs Groups A and C (P < 0.01). High lipase levels were found in 63.3% (19/30) of Group B patients, but in only 4.3% (3/70) and 0% (0/17) of Group A and C, respectively. Lipase levels were found to be inversely related to sweat chloride concentrations (r = -0.19, P < 0.05). Patients with borderline or normal sweat tests had high lipase levels, whereas low lipase levels were associated with pathologic sweat tests. Our findings indicate that the serum lipase level is genetically determined and that it has a useful role in the diagnosis of CF. Thus, in patients with borderline sweat tests and high lipase levels, the diagnosis of CF should be considered.

Lundh meal: a single non-invasive challenge test for evaluation of exocrine and endocrine pancreatic function in cystic fibrosis patients

The determination of endocrine and exocrine pancreatic function in cystic fibrosis patients is clinically important. Recently, a new non-invasive test, in which pancreatic stimulation by a Lundh meal is followed by sequential serum lipase measurements, was found to be a good indicator of exocrine pancreatic status. Since the Lundh meal also contains glucose, the present study assessed whether it also might be suitable for evaluation of the pancreatic endocrine axis. After an overnight fast, 10 healthy non-diabetic subjects and 14 cystic fibrosis patients ingested a Lundh meal. Glucose, insulin, and C peptide levels were measured at various time intervals following the meal. For purposes of comparison, the oral glucose tolerance test was also performed on the cystic fibrosis patients. All healthy subjects demonstrated an increase in glucose levels post Lundh meal, peaking at 45 min (mean 140+/-21 mg/dl) and then gradually declining and reaching the normal range at 120 min. Concordant peaks of insulin (46.3+/-20 IU/ml) and C peptide (5.8+/-1. 5 ng/ml) levels were noted at 60 min. All 14 cystic fibrosis patients had normal basal glucose levels: in 8, the pattern of glucose, insulin, and C peptide post Lundh meal was similar to that of the healthy controls. These 8 patients also had a normal oral glucose tolerance test, and their hemoglobin A(1C) levels were within the normal range. The other 6 cystic fibrosis patients demonstrated glucose levels above 200 mg/dl 30-60 min post Lundh meal, and all also had an impaired oral glucose tolerance test. Of these 6, 4 had high levels of hemoglobin A(1C). This study demonstrates that the Lundh meal challenges the endocrine pancreas as well as the oral glucose tolerance test. Thus, determination of both exocrine and endocrine pancreatic status can be achieved by a single non-invasive test.

Serum lipase levels pre and post Lundh meal: evaluation of exocrine pancreatic status in cystic fibrosis

Determination of pancreatic function is essential in cystic fibrosis. The most-reliable method is by measuring pancreatic enzymes in the duodenum following intravenous or oral stimulation. However, this is invasive, time consuming, and expensive. Indirect tests are non-invasive but lack accuracy. This study examines a simple test which combines pancreatic stimulation by Lundh meal and sequential serum lipase measurements. The test was performed on three groups: group A, 36 cystic fibrosis patients carrying two mutations associated with severe disease and pancreatic insufficiency (delta F508, W1282X, G542X, N1303K, S549R); group B, 8 compound heterozygote cystic fibrosis patients carrying one mutation causing mild disease with pancreatic sufficiency (3849 + 10 kb C-->T); group C, 17 healthy individuals. Basal lipase levels were 2-16.5, 16.4-73, and 8.5-27.8 U/l in groups A, B, and C, respectively, with some overlapping between groups. There were three patterns of lipase activity (1) consistently low levels (group A) suggested a severely affected insufficient pancreas; (2) normal basal levels followed by a linear rise peaking 30 min after the meal (found in 16 of 17 healthy individuals and 3 patients of group B) reflecting an unaffected sufficient pancreas; (3) elevated lipase levels not influenced by the meal (5 patients of group B). This reflects an ongoing destructive process in the pancreas which will eventually result in conversion from pancreatic sufficiency to pancreatic insufficiency. Hence serum lipase activity prior to and 30 min after Lundh meal is a good indicator of pancreatic status allowing categorization of cystic fibrosis patients as pancreatic insufficient, pancreatic sufficient, or pancreatic sufficient with late conversion to insufficiency.

A missense cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator mutation with variable phenotype

OBJECTIVE

Cystic fibrosis (CF) has variable clinical presentation. Disease severity is partially associated with the type of mutation. The aim of this study was to report genotype-phenotype analysis of the G85E mutation.

PATIENTS

The phenotype of 12 patients (8 were from the same extended family, and 5 of them were siblings from 2 families) carrying at least one copy of the G85E mutation was evaluated and compared with the phenotype of 40 patients carrying the two severe mutations, W1282X and/or DeltaF508 (group 1), and with 20 patients carrying the splicing mutation, 3849+10kb C->T, which was found to be associated with milder disease (group 2).

RESULTS

A high phenotypic variability was found among the patients carrying the G85E mutation. This high variability was found among patients carrying the same genotype and among siblings. All the studied chromosomes carrying the G85E mutation had the 7T variant in the polythymidine tract at the branch/acceptor site in intron 8. Of the G85E patients, 25% had pancreatic sufficiency and none had meconium ileus, compared with 0% and 32%, respectively, of patients from group 1, and 80% and 0%, respectively, from group 2. Two patients carrying the G85E mutation had sweat chloride levels <60 mmol/L whereas all the others had typically elevated levels >80 mmol/L. Compared with group 2, patients carrying the G85E mutation were diagnosed at an earlier age and had higher sweat chloride levels, with mean values similar to group 1 but significantly more variable. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was similar in the three groups, with no differences in the slope or in age-adjusted mean values of FEV1. The levels of transcripts lacking exon 9 transcribed from the G85E allele measured in 3 patients were 55%, 49%, and 35% and their FEV1 values were 82%, 83%, and 50% predicated, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The G85E mutation shows variable clinical presentation in all clinical parameters. This variability could be seen among patients carrying on the other chromosome the same CFTR mutation, and also among siblings. This variability is not associated with the level of exon 9 skipping. Thus, the G85E mutation cannot be classified either as a severe or as a mild mutation.

The critical first six months in cystic fibrosis: a syndrome of severe bronchiolitis

The syndrome of infantile bronchiolitis in cystic fibrosis (CF) carries a high mortality. Fifteen cases of CF encountered over the past 19 years with severe bronchiolitis with onset during the first 6 months of life are described. Treatment include steroids in high doses. All patients recovered. Further progress resembled the usual natural course of CF and showed no evidence of persisting lung damage. The mechanism of this syndrome is not clear and is probably dependent on many factors involved in early lung disease in CF. The frequency of severe bronchiolitis in cystic fibrosis may not be high, but it continues to be seen in clinical practice today.

Nephrotic syndrome and fibrillary glomerulonephritis

A 28-year-old female with cystic fibrosis presented with nephrotic syndrome and progressive renal failure. In addition, she complained of blurred vision and there was a purpuric skin eruption localized to her legs. A renal biopsy revealed fibrillary glomerulonephritis. Skin biopsy demonstrated swelling of capillary endothelium, thickening of arteriolar walls and deposition of IgA, C3 and fibrinogen by immunofluorescence. Opthalmoscopy and fluorescein angiography disclosed cotton wool spots with intraretinal haemorrhages and ischaemia of the macula. Albumin infusions resulted in worsening of eye symptoms and signs. The presence of these three clinicopathologic entities in a patient with CF may indicate the possibility of systemic involvement related to continued exposure to chronic bacterial lower lung infection.

A cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator splice variant with partial penetrance associated with variable cystic fibrosis presentations

Some patients express various features of cystic fibrosis (CF) even though essential characteristics of the disease might be absent. Such patients may suffer from respiratory disease without pancreatic insufficiency and normal sweat chloride levels. Others may present as male infertility because of congenital bilateral aplasia of the vas deferens (CBAVD) with no other signs of CF. The 5T allele, a DNA variant in a noncoding region of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene that reduces the level of the normal CFTR transcripts, was found in increased frequency among male patients with CBAVD. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility that the 5T allele is associated with dysfunction of organs other than the male reproductive system, leading to CF or atypical CF. Analysis of the 5T allele was performed on 148 subjects (29 with CF, 61 with atypical CF, and 58 with CBAVD) carrying 232 chromosomes with unidentified CFTR mutations, and on 142 non-CF chromosomes from healthy subjects of Ashkenazi origin. The frequency of the 5T allele among chromosomes from patients of Jewish Ashkenazi origin with CF and atypical CF (six of 33; 18%) was significantly higher than the frequency in the normal Ashkenazi population (eight of 142; 6%; p = 0.03). Analysis of the clinical presentation of the five patients with CF and the 12 patients with atypical CF carrying the 5T allele indicated that most patients suffered from respiratory disease presenting as asthma like symptoms, nasal polyposis, chronic sinusitis, chronic bronchitis, or bronchiectasis. Six patients had pancreatic insufficiency, two with meconium ileus. Sweat Cl- levels ranged from normal to elevated. Of the six male patients with respiratory disease who were old enough to be evaluated for fertility status, five were fertile and one had pancreatic insufficiency. Among male patients with CBAVD, 41% suffered from respiratory symptoms. Thus, the 5T allele is a variant with partial penetrance causing disease with an extreme variability of clinical presentation: from normal healthy fertile subjects or male patients with CBAVD to those with atypical or typical clinical phenotype of CF.

The value of anti-Helicobacter pylori IgG antibodies in establishing eradication of infection in children

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of anti-Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) IgG antibodies in monitoring eradication of infection in children. Forty-seven H. pylori-infected children (aged 12.5 +/- 3.0 years, range 6.5-18 years) were followed for a mean of 30.3 months (range 6.66 months). Patients were divided into those with eradicated infection and those with ongoing infection, as determined by antral biopsy-related tests (histology, urease and culture). Anti-H. pylori antibodies (EIA) were tested at diagnosis and follow-up and changes of antibody titers were compared between the two groups. Twenty-five of 26 non-eradicated patients showed persistently high levels of antibodies throughout the study. One patient had non-detectable antibodies despite an ongoing infection for 12 months. Patients with eradicated infection showed a progressive fall of antibody levels from 52.9 +/- 32.4 U/ml at diagnosis to 17.5 +/- 4.1 U/ml at 6 months (p < 0.007) and 4.4 +/- 0.7 U/ml at > or = 12 months (p < 0.002). In 17 of 21 eradicated patients, serum antibodies normalized during the follow-up period; in 4 of the 21 patients, a decrease of > or = 40% of the initial value was observed during the 8-month follow-up. The validity of serology in the evaluation of H. pylori infection had a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 96% and positive predictive and negative predictive values of 95% and 100% respectively. Our conclusion is that serial determination of anti-H. pylori antibodies is a reliable method for the follow-up and monitoring of H. pylori eradication in children and adolescents.

[Neurological symptoms associated with vitamin E deficiency]

Children deficient in vitamin E have various neurologic symptoms. 2 cases representing different mechanisms of this vitamin deficiency are reported. A 15-year-old boy with fat malabsorption due to cystic fibrosis who was diagnosed as being vitamin E deficient (< 0.5 mg/l), had typical neuropathies. On the other hand, a 12-year-old Beduin girl had isolated vitamin E deficiency, as well as neurological symptoms suggestive of Friedrich's ataxia. Vitamin E supplementation by intramuscular injection in the first case and per os in the second led to significant improvement in neurological symptoms.

Highly variable incidence of cystic fibrosis and different mutation distribution among different Jewish ethnic groups in Israel

The incidence of cystic fibrosis (CF) and the frequency of disease-causing mutations varies among different ethnic and geographic populations. The Jewish population around the world is comprised of two major ethnic groups; Ashkenazi and non-Ashkenazi. The latter is further classified according to country of origin. In this study, we analyzed the incidence of CF and the distribution of CF mutations in the general Jewish population in Israel and in most of the Jewish ethnic subgroups. The disease frequency varies considerably among the latter. Among Ashkenazi Jews, the frequency of CF is 1:3300, which is similar to the frequency in most Caucasian populations. Among non-Ashkenazi Jews, the disease occurs at a similar frequency among Jews from Libya (1:2700), Georgia (1:2700), Greece and Bulgaria (1:2400), but is rare in Jews from Yemen (1:8800), Morocco (1:15000), Iraq (1:32000), and Iran (1:39000). So far, only 12 mutations have been identified in Israeli Jews, and this enables the identification of 91% of the CF chromosomes in the entire Jewish CF population. However, in each Jewish ethnic group, the disease is caused by a different repertoire of mutations. The frequency of identified mutations is high in Ashkenazi Jews (95%), and in Jews originating from Tunisia (100%), Libya (91%), Turkey (90%), and Georgia (88%). However, a lower frequency of mutations can be identified in Moroccan (85%), Egyptian (50%), and Yemenite (0%) Jews. For genetic counseling of a Jewish individual, it is necessary to calculate the residual risk according to ethnic origin. Carrier screening of healthy Jewish individuals is currently feasible for Ashkenazi Tunisian, Libyan, Turkish, and Georgian Jews. These results provide the required information for genetic counseling of Jewish CF families and screening programs of Jewish populations worldwide.

HLA-B5 in the diagnosis of Behcet's disease

Behçet's disease, a multisystem disease is, by its nature, difficult to diagnose. The first manifestation of the disease may precede the appearance of other symptoms and signs essential for diagnosis by many years. In patients of Mediterranean origin, the early manifestations of the disease, may be confused with those of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). Determination of HLA-B5 may, however, contribute to the diagnosis in children with partial manifestations of Beh,cet syndrome.

Congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens in the absence of cystic fibrosis

The high frequency of mutations in the cystic fibrosis gene in patients with congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens (CBAVD) has raised the question whether all of them have a genital form of cystic fibrosis. We investigated 47 CBAVD patients by ultrasonography, 10 (21%) had renal malformations and 37 (79%) did not. In the former group, no cystic fibrosis mutations were found and sweat chloride concentrations were normal. In the latter group, 18 patients (49%) carried at least one cystic fibrosis mutation and sweat chloride was high in 17 of 26 tested (65%). Our findings suggest that CBAVD patients with renal malformations do not necessarily have cystic fibrosis.

Similar levels of mRNA from the W1282X and the delta F508 cystic fibrosis alleles, in nasal epithelial cells

The effect of nonsense mutations on mRNA levels is variable. The levels of some mRNAs are not affected and truncated proteins are produced, while the levels of others are severely decreased and null phenotypes are observed. The effect on mRNA levels is important for the understanding of phenotype-genotype association. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a lethal autosomal recessive disease with variable clinical presentation. Recently, two CF patients with mild pulmonary disease carrying nonsense mutations (R553X, W1316X) were found to have severe deficiency of mRNA. In the Jewish Ashkenazi CF patient population, 60% of the chromosomes carry a nonsense mutation, W1282X. Patients homozygous for this mutation have severe disease presentation with variable pulmonary disease. The presence of CF transcripts in a group of patients homozygous and heterozygous for this mutation was studied by reverse transcriptase PCR of various regions of the gene. Subsequent hybridization to specific CF PCR probes and densitometry analysis indicated that the CF mRNA levels in patients homozygous for the W1282X mutation are not significantly decreased by the mutation. mRNA levels were compared for patients heterozygous for the W1282X mutation. The relative levels of mRNA with the W1282X, and the delta F508 or the normal alleles, were similar in each patient. These results indicate that the severe clinical phenotype of patients carrying the W1282X mutation is not due to a severe deficiency of mRNA. In addition, the severity, progression, and variability of the pulmonary disease are affected by other, as yet unknown factors.

Mild cystic fibrosis and normal or borderline sweat test in patients with the 3849 + 10 kb C-->T mutation

Different mutations in the cystic fibrosis (CF) gene appear to contribute to heterogeneity of the CF phenotype. We investigated 15 patients with CF who have the 3849 + 10 kb C-->T mutation. All were Ashkenazi Jews. Their clinical features were compared with those of CF patients with the delta F508/delta F508, W1282X/W1282X, W1282X/delta F508 mutations, which are known to be associated with a severe disease. Patients with the 3849 + 10 kb mutation were older, had been diagnosed as having CF at a more advanced age, and were in a better nutritional state. Sweat chloride values were normal (below 60 mmol/L) in 5 3849 + 10 kb patients (33%). 4 of these patients and 6 others (total 66%) had normal pancreatic function. However, age-adjusted pulmonary function did not differ between the two groups. None of the patients with 3849 + 10 kb C-->T had had meconium ileus or had liver disease or diabetes mellitus. We conclude that this mutation is associated with a mild type of CF.

D-lactic acidosis: a treatable encephalopathy in pediatric patients

A 20-month old infant, who had short bowel syndrome following extensive surgery for a mid gut volvulus, developed hyperchloremic acidosis, with a large anion gap after enteral feeding was instituted. The organic acidosis was at least partly due to an increased concentration of D-lactic acid. This patient, as did five other pediatric patients, presented with a typical encephalopathy syndrome. Early recognition of this syndrome and treatment with an intestinal antibiotic and discontinuation of enteral feeding enabled prompt correction of the hyperchloremic acidosis and a rapid clinical recovery.

Association of a nonsense mutation (W1282X), the most common mutation in the Ashkenazi Jewish cystic fibrosis patients in Israel, with presentation of severe disease

Only about 30% of the cystic fibrosis chromosomes in the Israeli cystic fibrosis patient populations carry the major CF mutation (delta F508). Since different Jewish ethnic groups tended to live as closed isolates until recent times, high frequencies of specific mutations are expected among the remainder cystic fibrosis chromosomes of these ethnic groups. Genetic factors appear to influence the severity of the disease. It is therefore expected that different mutations will be associated with either severe or mild phenotype. Direct genomic sequencing of exons included in the two nucleotide-binding folds of the putative CFTR protein was performed on 119 Israeli cystic fibrosis patients from 97 families. One sequence alteration which is expected to create a termination at residue 1282 (W1282X) was found in 63 chromosomes. Of 95 chromosomes, 57 (60%) are of Ashkenazi origin. Together with the delta F508 (23% in this group), G542X, N1303K, and 1717-1G----A mutations, the identification of 92% of cystic fibrosis chromosomes of Ashkenazi origin becomes possible. Patients homozygous for the W1282X mutation (n = 16) and patients heterozygous for the delta F508 and W1282X mutations (n = 22) had similarly severe disease, reflected by pancreatic insufficiency, high incidence of meconium ileus (37% and 27%, respectively), early age at diagnosis, poor nutritional status, and variable pulmonary function. In conclusion, the W1282X mutation is the most common cystic fibrosis mutation in the Ashkenazi Jewish patient population in Israel. This nonsense mutation is associated with presentation of severe disease.

Immediate effect of various treatments on lung function in infants with cystic fibrosis

The immediate effect of four different modes of treatment was assessed by lung function tests on 19 infants with cystic fibrosis (CF) during the first year of life. The regimens were applied in a randomized fashion and consisted of aerosol inhalation of salbutamol (n = 8; SAL), aerosol inhalation of N-acetyl cysteine (n = 5; AC), chest physiotherapy (n = 6; CPT), and combined treatment with aerosol inhalation of SAL and AC followed by CPT (n = 6; COMB). Pulmonary function was measured before and shortly after therapy with each mode of treatment. Thoracic gas volume (Vtg) and specific airway conductance (SGaw) were measured by an infant whole body plethysmograph, and forced expiratory flow at resting lung volume (VmaxFRC) was determined with a thoraco-abdominal squeeze jacket. There was no correlation between baseline lung function and changes in any parameter due to treatment. Overall group comparison showed that the combined therapy resulted in a significant improvement in lung function when compared to any of the three treatments applied separately. There was no significant change in lung volumes in any individual group, but SGaw and VmaxFRC showed a small but significant improvement following the COMB treatment when compared with AC or CPT.

Lung function in infants with cystic fibrosis

Lung function was measured in 28 infants with cystic fibrosis and repeated in 17 of the infants during the first year of life. Thoracic gas volume (TGV) and specific airway conductance (sGaw) were measured plethysmographically and maximum forced expiratory flow at functional residual capacity (VmaxFRC) was derived from the partial expiratory flow-volume curve. At the time of the initial evaluation respiratory function was correlated with the clinical condition of the infants but not with age. There was a good correlation between sGaw and VmaxFRC when both were expressed as percentages of the predicted normal values. On the basis of the normal range for sGaw the infants were divided into two groups. Group A (n = 9), who had normal sGaw, were younger and had a lower clinical score and normal VmaxFRC and TGV values. Group B (n = 19), who had low sGaw, had increased TGV and decreased VmaxFRC. There was no correlation with age for any measure of lung function for the population as a whole. Repeat testing was undertaken at intervals in 17 representative infants. In most of these infants the relation between sGaw and VmaxFRC was maintained; there was no evidence that VmaxFRC was affected before sGaw. There was no functional evidence that the earliest changes in cystic fibrosis occur in small airways, as reflected by changes in VmaxFRC in infancy.

Sodium cromoglycate in asthma: correlation between response and serum concentrations

The clinical response to sodium cromoglycate treatment was compared with its concentration in serum. Twenty five children with asthma entered a 10 week trial of two baseline weeks followed by eight weeks of treatment by the inhalation of 20 mg of sodium cromoglycate spincaps four times a day. Individual clinical response was determined by the differences between baseline and treatment periods of: (a) percentage of symptomless days (delta score 0); (b) diary derived daily score for four symptoms (delta DS); and (c) peak expiratory flow rate (delta PEFR). At the end of the treatment period, patients inhaled a 20 mg spincap of sodium cromoglycate and the technique of inhalation was graded. Concentrations of sodium cromoglycate in serum were measured by radioimmunoassay in samples withdrawn 5 to 120 minutes after inhalation. Delta Score 0, delta DS, and delta PEFR correlated significantly with the area under the concentration time curve. Both the area under the sodium cromoglycate concentration time curve and clinical response correlated significantly with inhalation technique score. We suggest that response of children with asthma to inhalation treatment with sodium cromoglycate is correlated to its serum concentrations.

Variables affecting outcome from severe brain injury in children

This study evaluates the outcome of 56 severely brain injured children (mean age 6.2 +/- 2.1 years) and relates the Initial Glasgow Coma Scale (IGCS), initial intracranial pressure (ICP int), maximal intracranial pressure (ICP max) and minimal cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP min) to quality of survival. Forty-one children sustained head trauma, five severe central nervous system infections and 10 were of miscellaneous etiology. Therapy consisted of mechanical hyperventilation, moderate fluid restriction, dexamethasone and diagnosis specific measures when indicated. Outcome was categorized according to the Glasgow outcome scale at discharge from the hospital. An IGCS of 3 was associated with 100% mortality, 7 and above resulted in 72% good recovery, 28% poor outcome and no mortality. ICP int of less than 20 torr was noted in (67%) of the patients, and did not correlate with ICP max or outcome. Conversely, ICP int in excess of 40 torr correlated well with ICP max and outcome. ICP max of less than 20 torr resulted in 57% good recovery, 36% poor outcome and 7% mortality. ICP max greater than 40 torr resulted in 7% poor outcome and 93% mortality (p less than 0.001). In head trauma, 32 patients (78%) were alive with mean ICP max 16.9 +/- 3.1 and CPP min 65.5 +/- 8.5 torr compared to 9 patients (22%) who died with mean ICP max 53.7 +/- 10.8 and CPP min 6 +/- 3.9 torr, (p less than 0.01). In children with infectious etiology 60% survived with mean ICP max 16 +/- 3 and CPP min 96 +/- 16 torr.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The gene encoding vasoactive intestinal peptide is located on human chromosome 6p21----6qter

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a regulatory neuropeptide involved in a wide variety of functions, among them vasodilation, smooth muscle relaxation, sweat secretion, gastrointestinal peristalsis, and pancreatic function. A deficient VIP-innervation of sweat glands was recently described as a possible pathogenic factor in sweating of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. To investigate a possible role for a defective VIP-gene in cystic fibrosis, we have used a panel of rodent-human hybrid cells, retaining defined complements of human chromosomes to localize the VIP-gene to the human chromosome region 6p21----6qter. As the CF gene was recently mapped to chromosome 7, we conclude that the VIP-gene is not the primary gene defect in this disease.

Persistent cough a forme-fruste of asthma

Fifteen children presented with persistent cough as the sole complaint. Physical examination was entirely within normal limits. Personal and family histories of atopy and blood eosinophilia suggested an allergic diathesis. Chest radiographs showed hyperinflation in many and spirometry showed bronchospasm in all the children studied. The added observation that theophylline and salbutamol were effective suggests that the condition is a manifestation of asthma.

A new white forelock (poliosis) syndrome with multiple congenital malformations in two sibs

Two Jewish Ashkenazi male sibs are reported as having a new syndrome consisting of a white forelock, distinct facial features associated with congenital malformations involving the eye, cardio-pulmonary and skeletal systems. It is postulated that the etiology of this disorder is genetic and transmitted either as an autosomal recessive or X-linked recessive conditions.