Thorvald Löfkvist

Effects of Topical Use of β-Adrenoceptor Stimulants on Nasal Mucosa. Rhinomanometric Evaluations in Experiments with Terbutaline and KWD 2131: I. Normal Persons and Hay Fever Patients in Asymptomatic Period

The effects of nasal airway resistance of the beta-adrenoceptor stimulants terbutaline (Bricanyl) and KWD 2131 intranasally have been studied by means of posterior rhinomanometry in 16 healthy volunteers and 13 asymptomatic patients with allergic rhinitis. The study was performed as randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover trial. No obvious changes in nasal resistance were revealed. This makes the nasal muscosa a suitable organ for testing the capacity of beta-adrenoceptor stimulants to reduce the release of mediators from mast cells after allergen challenges.

The Effect of Staphylococcal Alpha Toxin and Preparations of Staphylococcal Antigens on Ciliated Respiratory Epithelium: A Study in Organ Cultures

This investigation was supported by grants from Alfred osterlunds Stiftelse, Malmo, Sweden, and the Medical Faculty, University of Lund, Lund, Sweden.Tracheal and nasal explants of mucous membrane from adult rabbits and human foetuses were used for the study of ciliary toxicity of culture filtrate, crude extract and five preparations of purified antigens from S. aureus, phage type 52, Cowan I, Oeding ab (ck)m; and, secondly, of culture filtrate from S. aureus, Wood 46. The Wood 46 filtrate was the only product that proved toxic to the cilia. The Wood 46 filtrate contained alpha hemolysin. The ciliary toxicity of the filtrate was neutralised by anti-alpha hemolysin in amounts equivalent to the alpha hemolysin. The ciliary action of the explants stopped before any sign of damage to the cells could be demonstrated by conventional histological methods. Prolonged exposure to the toxin destroyed the epithelial layer.

Treatment of vasomotor rhinitis with intranasal disodium cromoglycate (SCG). Results from a double-blind cross-over study.

The effect of SCG powder (Lomudalr, Intalr) intranasally in vasomotor rhinitis has been studied on 49 adult volunteers in a double-blind cross-over study during 13 weeks in January--April 1973. The dose of SCG was 40 mg/day. Although a substantial number of results were obtained, no significant difference between the effects of SCG and placebo treatment, on variables measured, was detected. However, some patients experienced relief with, and preferred, the treatment with SCG. The results from this investigation are discussed in comparison with those from other studies including patients with vasomotor rhinitis.

Acute Otitis Media in Older Children and Adults Treated with Phenoxymethyl Penicillin Or Erythromycin Stearate: Bacteriological and Immunological Aspects

Seventy-eight patients, all over 10 years of age, with clinical signs of acute otitis media, received either phenoxymethyl penicillin or erythromycin stearate, in a randomized manner, and the clinical, bacteriological and immunological effects were studied. Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae were the major pathogens isolated from the nasopharynx in 30 and 28 patients, respectively. Increased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) were detected in 53 (68%) of the patients. There was no statistical difference in the CRP-levels depending on species of bacteria isolated. The highest incidence was observed in cases with Branhamella catarrhalis and H. influenzae. Persistence of H. influenzae during antibiotic therapy was demonstrated in 70% and after therapy in 63% compared to 4% and 11% persistence of S. pneumoniae. The type of antibiotic treatment did not influence persistence. An immune response to H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae was detected significantly more often in patients treated with erythromycin stearate than with phenoxymethyl penicillin.

Effect in Patients Exposed to Grass Pollen (Sweden)

The effect of astemizole 10 mg daily was compared with that of clemastine 3 mg daily in 54 adult patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis in a double-blind study with concomitant pollen count during 4 weeks of the grass pollen season 1982. Similar symptom relieving effects were observed with the two medications together with a tendency towards less sedation with astemizole than with clemastine. No influences on liver or kidney function were found with any of the drugs. A gradual increase of the plasma concentration was observed. The implications of this in treatment of long duration requires further evaluation.

Influence of a β-Adrenoceptor Stimulant, Kwd 2131, in Nasal Histamine Provocation Tests: Rhinomanometrico Evaluations in Normal Persons and Patients with Hay fever

Nasal histamine provocation was performed in ll asymptomatic (out of season) patients with hay fever and in ll normal controls. Posterior rhinomanometry was used for objective evaluation. The histamine challenges caused nasal symptoms as well as increased nasal airway resistance. The differences in response between the two groups of subjects were not significant. KWD 2131, a beta-adrenoceptor-stimulating drug which was ascribed an antiallergic effect in a previous allergen provocation study, did not block the effects of histamine challenge in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover evaluation. The absence of protective action against histamine-induced effects with KWD 2131, supports a mast-cell-stabilizing effect of the substance in allergen provocation.