SUMMARYThe relation between chronic respiratory disease and infection with Chlamydia trachomatis in premature infants was investigated to ascertain the aetiological importance of intrauterine C trachomatis infection and chronic respiratory disease in premature infants. Serum IgM antibodies against C trachomatis were-determined by enzyme linked fluorescence assay. Sections of lung tissues obtained by biopsy and at necropsy were also tested for the presence of antigens using fluorescein conjugated monoclonal antibodies to C trachomatis. Of 16 sera from premature infants with chronic respiratory diseases clinically diagnosed as bronchopulmonary dysplasia or the Wilson-Mikity syndrome, five had IgM antibodies to C trachomatis L2 strain by enzyme linked fluorescence assay (titre > 1/500). Of 37 sera from premature infants with extremely low birth weights, two had IgM antibodies to C trachomatis. No specific IgM antibody was detected in 31 neonates who showed raised serum IgM concentrations but who did not have respiratory tract symptoms. C trachomatis was identified from two specimens of lung tissue obtained at necropsy from premature infants with chronic respiratory disease positive for IgM antibody.These findings indicate the aetiological importance of intrauterine C trachomatis infection in chronic respiratory disease in premature infants.
Moreover, haemagglutinin agglutination inhibiting antibody titres were closely correlated with the anti-neuraminidase and neutralising antibody titres (Table 2).Despite current recommendations [1, 2], many chronically ill or at-risk children do not receive annual in¯uenza immunisation, [3].From this small study we conclude that in immunogenically naive healthy infants, in¯uenza vaccines (although containing less than the currently recommended amount of viral antigens) gave a good response, with a serological protection estimation of 57%± 68% after two doses. Although the response of healthy infants may not be generalised to at-risk or sick children, who might be the only real candidates for in¯uenza vaccination, knowledge of this experience will hopefully encourage paediatricians not to neglect vaccination.
SUMMARY
The authors describe two cases of myoclonic encephalopathy of infants showing the characteristic features of ‘dancing eyes’, somatic myoclonic ataxia and irritability. The findings in these and in other reported cases are discussed with regard to treatment and etiology.
RÉSUMÉ
l' encéphalopathie myoclonique des nourrissons: rapport de deux cas
Les auteurs décrivent deux cas d'encéphalopathie myoclonique des nourrissons qui présentaient les traits caractéristiques des ‘yeux dansants’, ataxie somatique myoclonique et irritabilityé. Les constatations dans ces cas et dans les autres cas rapportés dans la litérature sont discutées du point de vue du traitement et de l'étiologie.
ZUSAMMENFASSUNG
Myoklonische Encephalopathie bei Kindern: Bericht über zwei Fälle
Die Autoren beschreiben zwei Fälle von myoklonischer Encephalopathie mit den charakteristischen Zeichen der ‘tanzenden Augen’, einer somatischen myoklonischen Ataxie und Erregbarkeit. Die Befunde bei diesen und anderen Fällen in der Literatur werden diskutiert im Hinblick auf Behandlung und Atiologie.
RESUMEN
Encefalopatla mioclónica del lactante: relación de dos casos
Los autores describen dos casos de encefalopatía mioclónica del lactante que presentan las characterísticas de los ‘ojos danzantes’, ataxia somática mioclónica e irritabilidad. Se discuten los hallazgos de estos casos y de otros publicados con miras a su tratamiento y etiología.
Serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis and to human cytomegalovirus (CMV) were detected by enzyme-linked fluorescence assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively in 19 premature infants with chronic lung diseases, in 43 extremely low birth weight premature infants and in 123 neonates with elevated serum IgM levels. Ten of the 19 premature infants with chronic lung diseases had elevated serum IgM levels, and five had IgM antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis. Three of the 43 extremely low birth weight premature infants had elevated serum IgM levels, and two had IgM antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis. Three of the 123 neonates with elevated serum IgM levels (excluding those with chronic lung diseases and extremely low birth weight) had IgM antibodies to CMV. These results suggest that chronic lung diseases in low birth weight infants might be caused by intrauterine Chlamydia trachomatis infection.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.