Mean theophylline levels were 14.85 ± 2.75 mcg/ml and 12.05 ± 1.12 mcg/ml, when the patients received theophylline alone intravenously and orally respectively. When salbutamol was added the respective theophylline levels were 12.13 ± 3.37 mcg/ml and 10.51 ± 1.76 mcg/ml only. The differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Post therapy pulmonary functions were significantly higher after intravenous theophylline alone as compared to theophylline intravenously along with oral salbutamol. Although the post therapy pulmonary functions were higher in patients with oral theophylline plus salbutamol as compared to oral theophylline alone, the spirometric indices were smaller when compared to oral salbutamol alone. Similar observations were noted subjectively. Adverse effects in the form of palpitation, tremors, nausea, tachycardia and fall in diastolic blood pressure were significantly more with combined therapy as compared to either drug alone.

Eighteen out of twenty patients, completed the clinical study over ten months. Half were given methotrexate tablets while the other half received placebos. Cross-over was performed after five months. The dose of prednisolone was reduced significantly with associated improvement in symptoms while patients were on methotrexate. Subjective and objective improvements were observed with no deterioration in pulmonary functions. Few signs of toxicity were observed possibly due to low dose of methotrexate used.

In 79 asthmatics serum total IgE was estimated along with intradermal testing against common allergens of Hyderabad area. The higher grade reactors had a mean total IgE of 325 IU/ml and lower grade reactors had a mean of 77 IU/ml. In higher grade reactors there was an inverse relationship between number of reactive allergens and total IgE values. The results are discussed.

Two hundred workers engaged in wool industry of Bikaner were surveyed. Thirty-four workers (17%) were found to have clinical respiratory disorders, eosinophils were elevated in 20% and ventilatory functions were deranged in 21% of the workers. The abnormalities observed had a direct relationship with duration of exposure to wool and work associated with high concentration of wool dust and smoking habit of the subjects.

Fifty smear positive patients of pulmonary tuberculosis were analysed for the presence of clubbing and its relation with clinical and radiological features. Clubbing was present in 40% patients. It was associated with more severe and chronic disease. It is suggested that clubbing can be used to identify patients who need intensive care in the absence of facilities for full assessment.

Presence of colonic carcinoma with tuberculosis at the same site is very rare, as is the isolated form of tuberculosis with pseudo-polyposis. The development of twin pathologies is hard to explain. Co-incidental occurrence, super-added infection, metaplasia or trapping of carcinogens by fibrotic scars may play a role in localizing the development of carcinoma with tuberculosis

Rifampicin induced thrombocytopenia is reported. The patient’s erythrocytes gave a positive direct antiglobulin test suggesting the presence of complement on the red cell surface, and confirmed by the indirect antiglobulin test where the erythrocytes were exposed to rifampicin before the test. The patient had a high titre of rifampicin-specific antibodies. She recovered after withdrawal of all drugs and was subsequently managedon isoniazid and ethambutol with no adverse effects.

Of the 75 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis HbsAg was found to be positive in 14 (18.66%) and in one (4%) of the 25 healthy controls. It was found that HbsAg was more frequently detected in patients with impaired cell mediated immunity. Caution is required in prescribing and administering parenteral drugs in tuberculosis patients.

A rare case of bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax associated with pulmonary metastasis from osteogenic sarcoma in a 16 year old girl is reported.