August 14, 2000 Research Update

Chlamydia link to atherosclerosis strengthens day by day

Just like most diseases known to man, I think that there are multiple causes of these diseases. And yet, many times we try to look for one answer to everything, and then treat what we think is the one cause. Then we wonder why the patient is never completely cured.

The link between chlamydia infection and atherosclerosis "strengths day by day," according to one expert reviewing all the evidence to date at the recent XIth International Symposium on Atherosclerosis in Stockholm, Sweden. Another speaker, presenting preliminary results from work on atherectomy specimens from patients with acute myocardial infarction, suggested that chlamydia may be the "final straw that breaks the camel's back" when it comes to atherosclerotic plaque rupture.

Very Delayed Reactions in Cow's Milk-Intolerant Children

Until we get away from the idea of getting an immediate allergic skin reaction as evidence of food allergy, we will never come to fully appreciate how prevalent and important food allergies really are. This study noted effects TWO WEEKS after exposure.

Allergy 2000;55:574-579 In the initial challenge, no children showed very delayed reactions (i.e., by more than 72 hours) to cow's milk, the results indicate. However, there were three cases of very delayed reactions at the year 1 "cure challenge," six cases after 2 years, and eight cases after 3 years. Among the ten patients with very delayed reactions, the investigators note, the mean time between the initiation of the challenge and the onset of any clinical symptom was 13.3 days. All symptoms disappeared after reinstitution of a cow's milk-free diet.

Diet of US Adolescents Has Deteriorated Since 1965

I hope we didn't spend too much money on this study... We are slowly destroying the health of our country by focusing on fast, processed food as the main staple in our diets.

Arch Dis Child 2000;83:18-24 "These results show food consumption trends that are compromising the nutritional and health status of US adolescents and may contribute to important increases in nutrition-related chronic diseases," Dr. Siega-Riz and colleagues write. "Given our increased understanding of the role that diet and body composition play in preventing disease and promoting a higher quality of life, these results provide a clearer basis for intervention during adolescence to instill proper dietary habits."

Sources of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnancy

Good review commentary about various routes of exposure to T. gondii, a parasite that can produce birth defects. bmj.com Dubey 321 (7254): 127 http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/321/7254/127

Corticosteroids in head injury--No evidence

This practice has been in place for over 30 years, and yet no evidence has ever shown benefit to this type of therapy. And yet, steroids have known detrimental health effects. bmj.com Yates and Roberts 321 (7254): 128 http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/321/7254/128