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This preliminary report suggests that cryosurgery has a definite place in the management of certain external periocular and ocular problems. Cryosurgery for basal- or squamous-cell carcinoma of the lid is easily performed, gives excellent cosmetic results, and has a low recurrence rate. It is not recommended for lesions involving the fornices, nor for sclerotic or morphea-type basal-cell carcinomas. Tumor recurrences following radiation, surgery, or cryosurgery can still be retreated with cryosurgery. To date, there is no evidence that cryosurgery at temperatures above --40 degrees C causes damage to the lacrimal outflow system. Cryosurgery is of value in the management of trichiasis, reactive lymphoid hyperplasia, spider hemangioma, molluscum contagiosum, and conjunctival dysplasia. Cryotherapy for management of intraepithelial epithelioma and squamous-cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva and cornea is still under investigation. Cryosurgery will, in our opinion, become the treatment of choice for basal- and squamous-cell carcinomas of the eyelids. The 96% cure rate with one treatment for these lesions reported here is artificially high since the follow-up period is too short. However, retreatment with cryosurgery is a simple 10- min outpatient procedure which is certainly not the case with recurrences after other forms of therapy.

Groups of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri spp.), predetermined to be free of Helicobacter infections in the gastric mucosa, were immunized orally with 0.5-4.5 mg of Helicobacter pylori recombinant urease (rUrease) and 25-500 micrograms of Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) adjuvant. Oral immunization with rUrease resulted in a markedly elevated serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody response with peak levels at 45 days after immunization. No significant gastric inflammation or cytotoxicity was evident in rUrease immunized monkeys as determined by light and electron microscopy. Twenty-five micrograms of LT was a sufficient and safe adjuvant dosage, whereas higher dosages resulted in diarrhea and lethargy. Animals developed a serum IgG antibody response to LT that did not impede the production of anti-rUrease antibody levels. The results of this investigation indicate that rUrease is immunogenic in a nonhuman primate.

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