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Biomedical subjects

A Hallén

Publications and source records attributed to A Hallén.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Chlamydia trachomatis infections in eastern Europe: legal aspects, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment.

OBJECTIVES: Knowledge concerning genital Chlamydia trachomatis infections in eastern Europe is scarce. Data on the legal aspects, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of the infection have never been collected, summarised, and presented to the international scientific community. The aim of this study was to present the current situation on the main aspects of chlamydial infections in the countries of eastern Europe. METHODS: Written questionnaires concerning legal aspects, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of the infection were distributed among national STI operating administrators as well as researchers who had presented papers at earlier meetings of European chlamydia or STI societies. RESULTS: Most of the countries have not legalised reporting of chlamydial infections and in those who have done so, the quality of the reporting system is poor. Contact tracing is mostly done on a voluntary basis. Reported chlamydia incidence varies from 21 to 276 per 100000 inhabitants. The most commonly used diagnostic test remains the direct immunofluorescence test; however, some tendencies towards nucleic acid amplification are in evidence. Diagnostic services are paid for by the patient himself, while treatment in many countries is partially or completely covered by public insurance. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report summarising data concerning the situation on C trachomatis infections in eastern Europe. The reporting system and diagnosis of C trachomatis infections remain suboptimal, which allows neither control of the epidemiological situation nor optimal treatment of the patients. The most urgent work currently necessary is the education of professionals and the general population.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1998

Evaluation of an STD-prevention program for Swedish university students.

The authors evaluated a sexually transmitted disease (STD)-prevention program that combined a mass media campaign with peer education. The program was designed to increase Swedish university students' knowledge about STDs, improve attitudes toward condom use, and tell students where to get an STD checkup. Preintervention and postintervention postal questionnaires wer used with an intervention group and two types of control groups. Responses ranged from 32% to 67% for the randomly selected students and from 93% to 99% for classroom and clinic participants. The intervention was noticed by a majority of the students (85-98%) and discussed by 43% to 57%; more women than men observed and discussed the campaign. Knowledge about STDs, where to turn for STD checkups, and the intention of having an STD checkup increased. Attitudes toward condom use were equally positive before and after the intervention. Although it was successful in attracting attention and leading to discussion of STD prevention, the campaign did not encourage students to have an STD checkup.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

The Swedish telephone herpes helpline.

To increase the accessibility of qualified and anonymous advice on herpes infections in Sweden, a telephone counselling service was initiated in November 1994. The nucleus of the service is an answering machine that works around the clock. A caller can choose one of 3 different messages dealing with labial or genital herpes infection or herpes zoster--each message is approximately 3 min long. Those wanting written information can register and have material sent to them. For 2 h daily, 4 days a week, calls pass directly to the staff of the sexually transmitted diseases clinic of the University Hospital in Uppsala, Sweden--the caller pays only a single telephone unit charge. The personal calls deal with all aspects of herpes infections. During the first 3 months of the counselling service more than 4,500 calls were received.

Herpes Genitalis↗
PubMed1990

Release of endothelin-like immunoreactivity in relation to neuropeptide Y and catecholamines during endotoxin shock and asphyxia in the pig.

The changes in endothelin-like immunoreactivity in plasma during various provocations in the pig were investigated and related to those of neuropeptide Y, noradrenaline and adrenaline. Release as revealed by overflow was determined in the spleen, kidney and femoral vascular bed (skeletal muscle) simultaneously by collecting local venous and arterial blood samples. Under basal conditions there was no net release of endothelin-like immunoreactivity from any region but a net removal (negative overflow) over the kidney. Endotoxin administration (20 micrograms kg-1 h-1 for 4 h) increased arterial endothelin-like immunoreactivity, neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity, noradrenaline and adrenaline seven-, 27-, 100- and 166-fold respectively, as well as splenic and renal vascular resistance. An increased overflow of endothelin-like immunoreactivity, neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity and noradrenaline, indicating local release, was observed in the spleen during endotoxin administration. The arterial plasma endothelin-like immunoreactivity during endotoxaemia correlated significantly with the splenic and renal vasoconstriction (r = 0.75 and 0.68 respectively). Chromatographic characterization revealed that the main portions of arterial plasma endothelin-like immunoreactivity collected during endotoxaemia corresponded to synthetic endothelin-1 and big endothelin. A similar uptake (50-90%) and plasma half-life (1-2 min) of exogenous endothelin-1-like immunoreactivity was observed both under control conditions and after endotoxin, suggesting that elevated plasma endothelin-like immunoreactivity after endotoxin was the result not of reduced clearance but rather of enhanced release. Asphyxia for 2 min did not increase arterial endothelin-like immunoreactivity but evoked an increased overflow of endothelin-like immunoreactivity, neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity and noradrenaline as well as vasoconstriction in the spleen. Capsaicin induced a release of neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity and noradrenaline from both the spleen and the kidney and of adrenaline from the adrenal, but no detectable overflow of endothelin-like immunoreactivity from any of the vascular regions. Renal nerve stimulation, renal artery occlusion for 30 min, haemorrhagic shock, hypotension induced by nitroprusside infusion or serotonin did not cause any detectable increase in arterial plasma levels or local overflow of endothelin-like immunoreactivity. It is concluded that plasma levels of endothelin-like immunoreactivity are increased, suggesting release in the pig in response to endotoxin administration and asphyxia. The possible involvement of endothelin as a mediator of the peripheral vasoconstrictor responses during these situations remains to be further established.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and abortions--the present situation for medical care of sexually transmitted diseases in Sweden.

In Sweden, the high numbers of infections with Chlamydia trachomatis and human papillomavirus and the threat of human immunodeficiency virus has been the origin of an ongoing change in the care for people with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). This is based on the view that traditional STDs, HIV, and abortions are different consequences of the same thing--unprotected intercourse--so prevention of one means prevention of the others and they should always be considered together. There is a growing understanding that epidemiological aspects of STD have to be improved. To attain these goals, new measures are taken at different levels. Central organization committees are created in the counties for the management of STD care. Youth clinics are given better resources. A new kind of department for problems related to sexuality is developed with contributions primarily from gynecology and venereology. The well-established Swedish tradition for sex education is reinforced.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed1988

Rectal occurrence of Mobiluncus species.

The simultaneous occurrence of Mobiluncus spp in the vagina and rectum was studied in women attending a sexually transmitted diseases (STD) department. Of 43 women with bacterial vaginosis (BV), 32 had Mobiluncus spp in the vagina and 23 in the rectum. In 20 women the same Mobiluncus species was found concomitantly in the vagina and the rectum. Mobiluncus spp were found in the rectum only in two women with BV, one with candidal vaginitis, and one healthy woman. In a treatment study of 23 women, BV was cured in nine out of 10 treated with metronidazole and six out of 13 treated with tetracycline. After treatment Mobiluncus spp persisted in the vaginas of two out of 19 women and in the rectums of two out of 10.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗
PubMed1987

Topical anaesthesia with local anaesthetic (lidocaine and prilocaine, EMLA) cream for cautery of genital warts.

Removal of genital warts by thermocautery was performed in 108 patients (57 men and 51 women) under topical anaesthesia with a local anaesthetic cream, lidocaine and prilocaine (EMLA). Most men had warts in the preputial cavity, most women had warts situated on the mucous membranes of the vulva, and warts at multiple sites were common. About 1 ml of cream per lesion was applied to the warts for 20 to 105 minutes before the operation. Plastic film (Glad, Union Carbide) was applied over the cream when natural occlusion, such as under the prepuce or on the introitus, was not present. Local pallor was seen in 30% of the patients, redness in 53%, and oedema in 15%, but did not cause any discomfort and were clinically insignificant. Analgesia was sufficient in 96% of the men and in 40% of the women. Additional local infiltration was given to 60% of the women, but was not as painful as injections generally are in the genital area. The analgesic efficacy on women may be further improved by optimising the application time on the genital mucosa.

Adolescent↗