In a randomised, operator-blind, comparative clinical trial, the efficacy of co-amoxiclav (250 mg amoxycillin plus 125 mg clavulanic acid, eight-hourly) was compared to that of penicillin V (250 mg phenoxymethylpenicillin, six-hourly) in the treatment of acute dentoalveolar abscess. In each case surgical drainage was established at the time of initial presentation by incision of any soft tissue swelling, accompanied by either extraction of the tooth or extirpation of the pulp as indicated clinically. Each patient recorded the severity of their pain and swelling at eight-hourly intervals using graduated scales. Clinical review was performed after 1, 2 and 5 days of treatment, at which time sublingual temperature was recorded and the presence of cervical lymphadenopathy determined. A total of 79 patients were clinically assessable on Day 5 (co-amoxiclav, n = 41; penicillin V, n = 38). The two groups were comparable for sex, age, presenting features and microbiology. Penicillin-resistant organisms were isolated from five patients (co-amoxiclav, n = 3; penicillin V, n = 2). Symptoms improved in all patients following the start of treatment, however those receiving co-amoxiclav recorded a significantly greater decrease in pain during the second (P = 0.026) and third days (P = 0.025). Only one patient reported a significant adverse effect associated with drug therapy, and this was in the penicillin group. Co-amoxiclav was as effective as penicillin therapy.

HPV16 (human papillomavirus type 16) is a 7.9 kb double-stranded DNA virus that infects anogenital mucosal epithelia. In some rare cases, in women, infection can progress to cervical cancer. HPV16 gene expression is regulated through use of multiple promoters and alternative splicing and polyadenylation. The virus genome can be divided into an early and a late coding region. The late coding region contains the L1 and L2 genes. These encode the virus capsid proteins L1 and L2; protein expression is confined to the upper epithelial layers and is regulated post-transcriptionally in response to epithelial differentiation. A 79 nt RNA regulatory element, the LRE (late regulatory element), involved in this regulation is sited at the 3'-end of the L1 gene and extends into the late 3'-UTR (3'-untranslated region). This element represses late gene expression in differentiated epithelial cells and may activate it in differentiated cells. The present paper describes our current knowledge of LRE RNA-protein interaction and their possible functions.

Summary.The phagocytosis by human polymorphonuclear leucocytes of 37 bacterial strains identified as Streptococcus rnilleri (10 strains), strictly anaerobic gram-positive cocci (10) Prevotella intermedia (6), Pr. oralis ( 5 ) and Fusobacteriurn nucleaturn (6) was investigated in vitro. The ingestion of S. rnilleri and strictly anaerobic gram-positive cocci was significantly greater (p < 0.001) than that of strains of Prevotella spp. and F. nucleaturn. The degree of uptake of capsulate and non-capsulate strains did not differ.

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