AD cases declined since 1989. Mixed RSV-AD infections were not more severe than single AD etiology. AD cases admitted with positive IFA had worse prognoses than AD infections diagnosed later by virus isolation.

This study attempts to evaluate the adequacy of the erythropoietin (EPO) response in 42 anaemic patients with advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection [30 with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and 12 with AIDS-related conditions] by comparing their serum EPO levels with those found in a non-HIV reference population consisting of 36 patients with anaemia of chronic disorders (ACD) and 57 with iron deficiency anaemia (IDA). Although the average Hb concentration was similar in the three groups, the EPO level for HIV patients (mean +/- SEM, 64.3 +/- 7.7 mU/ml) did not differ significantly from that in ACD patients (45.3 +/- 8.3 mU/ml, P > 0.1), and both groups had a lower mean EPO level (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 respectively) than IDA subjects (133.5 +/- 18.7 mU/ml). Thirteen HIV patients on zidovudine therapy showed similar mean Hb and EPO levels to those in the untreated patients. A significant inverse correlation between the log of serum EPO and the Hb values was observed in the three groups. However, this relationship was found to be stronger in IDA patients than in either HIV or ACD subjects (P < 0.001), with no difference between the two latter groups (P > 0.2). These data suggest that the EPO response is blunted in the anaemia associated with advanced HIV infection.

Severe pertussis has a high mortality risk, especially in those with high white blood cell counts and pulmonary hypertension. Exchange transfusion can reduce the leukocyte mass in blood. We report 3 young infants with severe pertussis and hyperleukocytosis who developed cardiogenic shock and pulmonary hypertension. Exchange transfusion was performed. The white blood cell count decreased accompanied by improvement in the cardiopulmonary condition and survival in the 3 infants. Exchange transfusion should be considered in patients with severe pertussis with hyperleukocytosis.