The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India
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J Assoc Physicians India · May 1993
Comparative StudyEffect of calcium channel antagonists on cholinergic bronchial responsiveness in asthma.
Bronchial responsiveness to methacholine was studied in 23 stable asthmatics before and after nifedipine and diltiazem. There was no significant bronchodilatory effect of either calcium channel antagonists. ⋯ The mean ratio of PC20 after diltiazem over baseline was 3.27 +/- 3.55. The results suggest that although both calcium channel antagonists have no influence on normal basal bronchomotor tone, diltiazem does significantly protect against cholinergic stimulation.
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The present study was designed to study the cerebrospinal fluid of Salmonella typhi meningitis cases. All the 12 cases (100%) showed increase in the lymphocyte count (range 6-24 cells/cmm, mean 15.40 cells/cmm) and increase in protein concentration (range 80-125 mg. Dl, mean 86.25 mg/dl), while glucose concentration remained normal (range 56-80 mg/dl, mean 64.25 mg/dl). These changes in CSF may resemble viral meningitis, from which Salmonella typhi meningitis can only be differentiated by culture of CSF.
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To identify the uncommon presentations of falciparum malaria in an endemic area and to assess the outcome of treatment, a study was carried out on 35 proved cases whose clinical presentations were either dominated by features other than fever or the history of fever was totally absent. Both urban and rural patients were included. Seventeen cases (48.3%) presented with features of cerebral malaria. ⋯ Five cases (14.3%) of cerebral malaria died. We conclude that awareness of atypical presentations is important to detect cases of falciparum malaria in an endemic area. Intravenous quinine may need to be given promptly even when cerebral malaria is diagnosed empirically.