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Examines the role of respiratory viruses in childhood mortality in Great Britain. Causes of respiratory infection and congenital anomalies; Explanation on the etiology of respiratory illness; Description on the histological appearances of the lung.

Thirty-five children known to have had respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis in infancy were examined at the age of 8 and their respiratory function tested. The results were compared with those in 35 controls matched for age, sex, and social class.
Although 18 of the children who had bronchiolitis in infancy had experienced subsequent episodes of wheezing, these were neither severe nor frequent in most cases and had apparently ceased by the age of 8. Nevertheless, the mean exercise bronchial lability of the children who had bronchiolitis was significantly higher than that of the control children and the mean peak expiratory flow rate at rest significantly lower. Atopy, assessed by family and personal history alone, did not seem to be related to either bronchiolitis or wheezing episodes after bronchiolitis. The parents of the children who had bronchiolitis smoked significantly more cigarettes during the infant's first year of life than those of the control children.
The results suggest that bronchiolitis and childhood asthma are not closely related. Bronchial hyperactivity might be inherited independently of atopy, but environmental factors seem the most likely link between severe respiratory infection in infancy and chronic or recurrent respiratory illness in adult life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the occurrence of respiratory syncytial (RS) virus infection among children in England. Increase in the risk of hospital admission with RS virus infection; Factors causing the spread of infection; Clinical effects of the disease.

Presents a case of measles infections in leukemic children on immunosuppressive treatment. Predictability of the clinical syndromes and antibody responses of the patients; Effect of immunoglobulin on measles prevention; Diagnosis of the measles infections.

Examines the role of immunodeficiency and atopy in the pathogenesis of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis and postbronchiolitic wheezing in Great Britain. Association of yeast opsonization defect and C2 deficiency with atopy; Difference of postbronchiolitic wheezing from asthma; Effects of RSV infection.

Examines the correlation between breast=-feeding and respiratory syncytial virus infection. Concerns on the protective factors in breast milk; Factors affecting the increase risk of hospital admission; Analysis of the immune status of mothers.

Investigates the role of breast-feeding in treating infants with respiratory syncytial virus infection. Mortality and morbidity rates for breast-fed infants; Detection of specific immunoglobulin (Ig) A and IgG in specimens of human colostrum; Correlation of the titre of IgA antibody with the neutralizing activity.

Examines the national external quality assessment scheme for microbiology in Great Britain. Cost-effectiveness of the services of laboratory doctors; Number of laboratories practicing microbiology; Evaluation of the proficiency in antibiotic sensitivity testing.

Examines the respiratory viruses and histological appearances of the lung in Newcastle, England. Number of cot deaths; Evidence of active virus infection in the lower respiratory tract; Histological changes in the lung tissues.