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Biomedical subjects

A Lévy

Publications and source records attributed to A Lévy.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1989

[54 cases of infectious endocarditis seen in 32 years in a population of 2038 congenital heart diseases].

A longitudinal study of a 32-year period (1954-1987) involving 2038 patients with congenital heart defects followed by the same physician yielded 54 cases of infective endocarditis (IE). Complex cyanogenic cardiopathies were particularly exposed to the risk of infection (8.2 IE for 1000 patient-years), then came ventricular septal defects (2.4), tetralogy of Fallot (2.3), aortic stenosis (2.0) and atrioventricular canal (1.7). The risk was smaller in patients with Eisenmerger complex (1.2), persistent arterial canal (1.4) and coarctation (0.7). Patients under 10 years of age (16.7%) were less affected than young adults in the 20-29 years age-group (33.4%). The organisms most frequently isolated were streptococci (42%); staphylococci ranked second (23%). Less common organisms were found in 14% of the cases, and blood cultures were negative in 21%. Systemic prophylaxis with penicillin V, introduced 16 years ago, seems to have almost halved the incidence of infective endocarditis due to penicillin-sensitive organisms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

[Trichothiodystrophy].

Trichothiodystrophy is a congenital dysplasia of hairs characterized by: a pathognomonic image of the hair shaft under polarized light (the hair is plaited with alternately dark and light oblique bands) and trichoschisis with a clear-cut break; a deficiency of sulphurated aminoacids in the hair. We report a case where trichothiodystrophy was associated with abnormalities of the nails, teeth and eyes, growth and mental retardation, neurological syndrome and hypogonadism. From this case and a review of the cases published so far the following points emerge: 1. Congenital abnormalities of the neuroectodermal system are frequent. They include: skin lesions, such as ichthyosis, photosensitivity and atopic eczema; ungueal dysplasia; dysmorphic syndrome; growth and mental retardation; hypogonadism; neurological and ophthalmic abnormalities. 2. The condition seems to be transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait. A common element, dysplasia, enables us to include in the same nosological group as trichothiodystrophy a number of other pathological conditions, viz.: syndromes hitherto described under various names but almost identical, such as Brown's syndrome and BIDS syndrome (brittle hair, intellectual deficit, decreased fertility, small stature); IBIDS and PIBIDS syndromes which, in addition to the former, comprise ichthyosis and photosensitivity, as well as Tay's syndrome (characterized by the presence in all cases of ichthyosis associated with hair dysplasia); and perhaps some anecdotic cases with either a pathognomonic image under polarized light or a suggestive biochemical profile. Finally, since typical trichothiodystrophy has been reported in patients with Siemens' syndrome or with Marviesco-Sjögren syndrome, these two syndromes may perhaps also be classified in the same category, as borderline forms of the disease.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1986

[Routine use of 6-month antitubercular treatment in 300 patients].

Over a 2-year period, all patients with incipient tuberculosis seen in a hospital unit were given a 6-month treatment consisting of rifampicine, isoniazide, pyrazinamide and ethambutol. A retrospective study of these 300 patients showed that the treatment was effective, with no failure if taken for more than 2 months. Relapses were rare when the drugs were taken regularly, the responsible M. tuberculosis strain was sensitive, and there was no associated malignancy (present in 1.4% of the cases). The drugs were moderately well tolerated, and treatment had to be modified because of side-effects in 4.6% of the patients. It also appeared that 57% of the patients fully complied with the prescription, and 16% were lost sight of by the hospital unit. Treatment was altered in 36% of the cases, but in 16% changes were introduced by private doctors for reasons which retrospectively proved to be without medical grounds. It is concluded that this 6-month chemotherapeutic regimen was effective in more than 98% of the cases, and that the main problem in management of tuberculosis is the patient's compliance with treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

[Decompressive craniotomy in herpes simplex encephalitis].

Two patients with herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) underwent decompressive craniotomy with brain biopsy. The indication for the procedure was in both cases computertomographic finding of a large, space-occupying process situated in the temple lobe with clinical picture involving febrile state, progressive hemiparesis, and subconsciousness. The patients were treated with standard doses of Ara A and methylprednisolone immediately after operation. In both cases, the improvement was very impressive. The massive neurological deficits -- in one case even including subtotal aphasia -- disappeared almost completely in the weeks following operation. 6 months later both patients underwent cranioplasty. These observations show that decompressive craniotomy with dilatation of the dura represents a decisive therapeutic approach in the case of HSE when the pressure of the brain cannot be brought under control by medical treatment. Computertomography proved to be of particular diagnostic value and assists in taking decisions for meaningful surgical treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

[Brain abscess after odontogenic infection].

Dentogenous infections are among the most frequent in the maxillo-facial area. Case report of a dentogenous-pyogenous-actinomycotic mixed infection, with the complication of a secondary brain abcess is given. Consecutively, the patient became an invalid. Origin and pathogenesis of the disease are described. Also, liberal incision and drainage as a preventive measure are recommended.

Actinomycosis↗
PubMed1978

[Incontinentia pigmenti. Chromosomal study of a family (author's transl)].

After lymphocyte culture, chromosomic study has been performed on a woman and her daughter suffering from incontinentia pigmenti as well as on the two healthy brothers. This study has shown a high rate of chromosomic breakage in the four subjects, which confirms the facts mentioned in several previous reports. As far as genetic advice is concerned, the discovery of an excess of chromosomic breakage in a healthy subject who is a close relative of a patient, should prompt caution.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1977

[Chromosome breakage in incontinentia pigmenti].

Two cases of incontinentia pigmenti in a mother and her daughter are reported. An increase in structural chromosome aberrations of the chromatid type was observed, as already described by other authors. The aberrations rate in the same individual varied from culture to culture. Chromosomal breakage was also increased in apparently healthy family members.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1977

[Group B streptococci: serotyping data and susceptibility to antibiotics (author's transl)].

A study of the prevalence of group B streptococci in women (covering 6,000 samples) shows the vaginal presence to be comprised between 6.34 and 16.8%. The highest rate is found in a Centre for venereal diseases. The use of selective media results in a 50 to 75% increase in the number of germ-carries. The distribution found after serotyping of 1,469 strains has been studied. Over half of the strains isolated from the vagina and from infants belong to serotype II and III, one third of the strains causing serious infections are of type III; however, there is a wide dispersion of the serotypes found in neonatal infections. The test for pigmentation on Columbia medium offers an excellent approach for the diagnosis of group B streptococci. MIC testing of 7 antibiotics for 782 strains of various serotypes demonstrates high susceptibility to the beta-lactam antibiotics and makes it possible to detect rare strains with features of polyresistance to chloramphenicol and some macrolide antibiotics.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

[Gastrointestinal amyloidosis].

A series of 29 cases of amyloidosis of the alimentary tract is reported. Five cases (17%) were primary amyloidosis; 14 cases (48%) were amyloidosis secondary to other diseases (such as chronic inflammatory and neoplastic diseases); 10 cases (35%) were amyloidosis of the heredo-familial type connected with Familial Mediterranean Fever. In 23 patients (79%) the diagnosis was established by biopsies, and in 6 more cases on autopsy. Gastrointestinal involvement was found in all age groups. Gastro-enterologic complications observed in the present series include: diarrhea, malabsorption, ileus and gastrointestinal bleeding. In addition other conditions such as jaundice (3 cases), esophagitis and acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis were observed. In 22 patients proteinuria was observed and in 13 patients the nephrotic syndrome. Among 17 patients, in 11 the clinical picture before death was that of terminal renal failure. The survival after diagnosis among 14 patients reached 4 years in 9 cases, and 19 years in one case. The diagnostic value of the rectal biopsy is emphasized.

Adolescent↗