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BACKGROUND: The expression of CD64 (FcgammaRI) is increased from an almost negligible to a marked level on neutrophils in patients with bacterial infections. CD64 expression on neutrophils might therefore be a potential candidate for the diagnosis of bacterial infections in infants. AIM: This study was performed to monitor changes of neutrophil expression of CD64 during the postpartum period to further evaluate the usefulness of this analysis. The possible influence on the expression of this receptor by other factors was also investigated, including respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and preterm rupture of the membranes (PROM). METHODS: Cell surface expression of CD64 on neutrophils from preterm and term newborn infants and healthy adults was analysed by flow cytometry. The expression of the other Fcgamma receptors, CD32 and CD16, and the complement receptors CD11b/CD18 and CD35 was also analysed for comparison. RESULTS: Neutrophils from preterm newborn infants showed a moderately increased level of CD64 expression that, during their first month of life, was reduced to the level observed on neutrophils from term newborn infants and adults. In contrast, the level of neutrophil expression of CD32 and CD16 was significantly lower in preterm than term newborn infants and adults. Neutrophils from all groups indicated similar levels of CD11b expression, but the expression on neutrophils from newborn infants increased after birth. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that neutrophil expression of CD64 is moderately increased in preterm newborn infants at birth. It seems not to be influenced by RDS, PROM or other factors related to preterm birth but by bacterial infection.

Schoolchildren (n = 473), 12-13 years of age, from five schools, and without known asthma, participated in a screening test for exercise-induced asthma (EIA). The children were tested in large groups of 10-15 pupils. Peak expiratory flow (PEF) was measured before, immediately after, and 6-8 min after 6 min of running exercises in a gymnasium. A fall in PEF of at least 10% on two separate test occasions was considered an abnormal result. Children with abnormal results were given an asthma questionnaire and then tested individually in hospital with a standardized exercise test measuring FEV1, PEF, and flow/volume curve. In the screening test, 23 (4.9%) of the 473 children had an abnormal result. When tested in hospital, five (1%) children had a decrease in PEF and/or FEV1 of at least 10% (10-14%) after exercise. Furthermore, three of these five children had a history indicating mild EIA. We conclude that the use of PEF measurement as a screening method for EIA in large groups of schoolchildren cannot be recommended because it yields many false-positive results.

The diminutive species Gyalidea praetermissa is described from Central Sweden. At the only known locality it grows on the sheltered and shaded vertical north side of a large boulder in an open pine forest. The species is mainly characterized by the 4-5-se, Addresses: Foucard T, UPPSALA UNIV, BOT MUSEUM, VILLAVAGEN 6, S-75236 UPPSALA, SWEDEN. SWEDISH UNIV AGR SCI, DEPT ECOL & ENVIRONM RES, SECT CONSERVAT BOT, S-75007 UPPSALA, SWEDEN.