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An apparent increase in young people dying suddenly from acute asthma has been noted in the past 2 years in Auckland. 22 fatal cases were reviewed. Prescribing habits for asthma therapy have been changing in New Zealand, with a considerable increase in the use of oral theophylline drugs, particularly sustained-release preparations, which in many patients have replaced inhaled steroids and cromoglycate. It is suggested that there may be an additive toxicity between theophylline and inhaled beta 2-agonists at high doses which produces cardiac arrest. Also when regular symptomatic treatment with bronchodilators replaces inhaled steroids or cromoglycate the patient's perception of an asthma crisis may be delayed.

A group of 28 patients with extreme, life-threatening sensitivity to suxamethonium was identified and 15 were studied in detail by skin-testing. The female/male ratio was 8/1. Sensitivity may be present without previous exposure to suxamethonium; in 3 patients reactions occurred during the first exposure to anaesthesia. Most patients showed one or more cross-sensitivities to alcuronium, tubocurarine, and gallamine. Signs of circulatory collapse were the sole presenting feature in 50% of the patients. Histamine release induced by the drug in vitro was demonstrated in some instances.

T-lymphocyte colonies have been cultured in 106 subjects comprising healthy individuals and hospital inpatients as controls and patients with a wide variety of malignancies. Abnormal results were recorded in 89% of patients with malignant disease and in 23 of 24 patients with carcinomas (96%). This test may be valuable in research, and in diagnosis and monitoring of progress in malignant disease.