A study of diurnal variation from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. in subjects categorised as normal, asthma and chronic bronchitis was assessed along with three weekly (10 a.m.) readings. The asthmatics showed the maximal diurnal change of 0.56 ± 0.36 Lit. (25%) for FVC, 0.51 ± 0.34 Lit (39%) for FEV1, 100 ± 61 Lit. (43%) for PEFR, 38 ± 21 Lit. (65%) for FEF0.25-0.75 and 78 ± 58 Lit. (57%) for MEFR200-1200. For bronchitis, these variations respectively were 0.36 ± 0.31 (22%), 0.28 ± 0.20 (33%), 61 ± 30 (29%), 17 ± 13 (52%) and 59 ± 48 (64%) liters. For three weekly variations in morning values, the mean maximal change was: for FVC (ml) 45 ± 36 (1.6%), 364 ± 220 (15.4%) and 316 ± 161 (15%), in the three categories of subjects. Similar values for FEV1 (ml) were 55 ± 13 (1.8%), 414 ± 254 (38.9%) and 239 ± 116 (23%) and for PEFR (Lit.), 16 ± 5 (2.7%), 75 ± 39 (28.6%) and 48 ± 33 (19.2%) respectively for other two flow rates, the variations were larger. For discriminating between the three categories, changes in PEFR were most useful. Though diurnal and weekly variations of functional parameters (in normals were minimal and largest in asthmatics, the distinction from bronchitics, was not sharp in 40% of patients.

Bacteriological relapse is the best measure to determine the efficacy of any short course chemotherapeutic regimen. Using a relapse-prediction scoring (system, the successful outcome of a short course regimen (1 SHRZ + 5 H2 R2) in 300 pulmonary tuberculosis patients was investigated. The prognostic factors considered for the analysis were the radiographic extent of residual lung lesions and the persistent pulmonary cavities at the end of six-month chemotherapy and the speed of sputum culture conversion. The cumulative assessment of all the three prognostic factors had determined 93% of the relapses (Sensitivity) and 94% of the non-relapses (Specificity) correctly.

Out-patient records of 7834 new patients and their follow up in the Chest Clinic of a large referral hospital were analysed to find the respiratory disease pattern and other demographic characteristics. Respiratory laboratory data of the same period was also looked into. The general distribution of disease pattern was: obstructive, 40%; infective, 39.4%; neoplastic, 1.1%; interstitial, 1.1%; pleural, 9.2% and others 1.9%.

Adenosine deaminase enzyme (ADA) activity was estimated in 73 patients of pleural effusion. Patient were classified into five different groups based on aetiological diagnosis made on pleural biopsy and fluid examinations. ADA concentrations were significantly higher in tubercular effusion. Four of 26 patients (15.4%) with malignant pleural effusion had also shown raised ADA levels. All these patients had predominantly lymphocytic effusion. Though a higher ADA value is strongly suggestive of tubercular effusion, malignancy cannot be altogether excluded. However, ADA activity less than 40 IU/L excludes tubercular aetiology.

The phospholipase activity of seventy-seven isolates of Candida species isolated from the sputum of patients with chronic lung disease were tested. Sixty out of seventy-seven strains (77.9%) were found to produce phospholipases. The degree of phospholipase activity (Pz value) varied from 0.3 to 0.9. Production of this extracellular enzyme may play a pathogenic role.

Hundred consecutive geriatric subjects between the age of 55-75 years (mean 60 ± 4) were analysed. All the smokers, whether male or female, had more than 40 pack year smoking index and the only mode of smoking had been cigarette and/or beedi. Twenty-eight per cent of the subjects had shown chronic air flow limitation. The air flow limitation was more severe in smokers than in non-smokers. IgA and IgM were significantly higher (p<0.001) in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) cases with no difference in smokers versus controls. It is observed that thymic-dependent IgG response is impaired in COPD subjects.

The immunological parameters in children with Tuberculous meningitis (TBM; n =52) and Primary complex (PC; n =25) were compared, with regard to their BCG status & tuberculin reaction. Comparison was also made with the immune responses of 60 normal children. T and B cells, serum immunoglobulins (IgG,A, M) and leucocyte migration inhibition test (LMIT) with a mitogen and specific antigen were estimated. Although T-and B cells and non-specific invitro CMI responses were normal in both types, specific responses to PPD antigen were negative only in children with PC. Mx-positive (reactive) children with PC had negative mean LMI value and vice-versa. On the contrary Mx-negative (non-reactive) children with TBM had significantly low mitogenic LMI responses, Igs were elevated in all the diseased children. There are differences in the cellular immune responses between children with PC and TBM. BCG seems to be effective in protecting children from PC as well as TBM.

The regimes SHR, SHE (25 mg/Kg) SHE (35 mg/Kg) were administered to three groups of patients with smear positive tuberculosis. The serum copper and zinc levels were estimated at the start, at one month and two months of the chemotherapy. These were compared to 25 controls. Ethambutol toxicity was dose related and not correlated with copper or zinc levels. Malnutrition may be a contributing factor in inducing ocular toxicity.

A rare case of Pulmonary Blastoma in a three year old male child is reported with a review of literature. This tumor appears to have arisen primarily in the posterior mediastinum and showed infiltrative tendency with rapid fatal course.

Two cases of Pulmonary Alveolar Microlithiasis are reported. One of the two female patients has an associated primary sterility. In Indian literature, this is the second report of such an association.

A young woman with asymptomatic pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis is reported. The histopathology is characteristic. The computer aided tomographic sections clearly reveal pleural calcifications.