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Biomedical subjects

A S Whyte

Publications and source records attributed to A S Whyte.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Lancefield grouping and smell of caramel for presumptive identification and assessment of pathogenicity in the Streptococcus milleri group.

AIM: To evaluate Lancefield grouping and caramel smell for presumptive identification of the Streptococcus milleri group, and to find whether Lancefield group, species, or protein profile correlated with virulence or infection site. METHODS: Prospective studies were made of 100 consecutive streptococcal isolates in blood cultures or pus from 100 patients in whom the severity of infection was categorised as serious, moderate, or not significant. The usefulness of Lancefield group and the caramel smell for presumptive identification was examined, and the relation of the S milleri species, Lancefield group, and SDS-PAGE protein analysis to severity of infection and infection site was investigated. Lower respiratory tract and genital tract specimens, strict anaerobes, group D streptococci, and strains identified as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, or Streptococcus agalactiae were excluded. RESULTS: Most streptococci occurring in pure or significant growth density were S milleri group (87/100; 87%, 95% confidence interval 0.81-0.93). Of these, 89.7% (78/87; 0.84-0.96) were associated with infection. Lancefield group F antigen predominated (41/87; 47.1%, 0.38-0.56). Lancefield group F alone or accompanied by the caramel smell had a specificity of 100%, but a sensitivity of only 47.3% for group F alone, and 19.5% for group F accompanied by the caramel smell. There was no significant association between species, Lancefield group, and severity of infection, site of infection, or pathogenicity. SDS-PAGE analysis failed to discriminate between strains. CONCLUSIONS: Neither species nor Lancefield antigen was related to the site of infection. The presence of Lancefield group F antigen alone or accompanied by a caramel smell was a useful indicator for the S milleri group when present, but was too insensitive to use as a screening test. Most streptococci occurring in pure culture or in significant growth density were of clinical importance. Such organisms should be identified to species level to detect the S milleri group.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1976

Structural deterioration in Celestin tubes.

Two cases are described where, after 2 years, a nylon-latex Celestin tube which was left in situ to bypass a benign stricture underwent structural deterioration and produced complications requiring tube replacement. It is recommended that an alternative endo-oesophageal tube should be considered where a lifespan of this order is contemplated.

Esophageal Stenosis↗
PubMed1975

A prospective study of acute pancreatitis.

All 78 patients with acute pancreatitis admitted to one hospital in a 2-year period were included in a prospective survey of conservative management. The overall mortality rate was 11.5 per cent, being 46 per cent for 11 patients subjected to early laparotomy and only 6 per cent for patients managed without operation. Twenty-six patients were considered to have severe acute pancreatitis and all 9 deaths occurred in this group. Biliary disease was present in 51 per cent of patients, and the majority of those with biliary disease were over 60 years old. Alcohol-related acute pancreatitis occurred in 26 per cent of the total patients, and none of this group was over 60 years old. Acute pancreatitis was considered idiopathic in origin in only 13 per cent of the patients. Elective biliary surgery in 30 patients resulted in freedom from recurrent attacks of acute pancreatitis for the follow-up period (12-30 months). The results compare favourably with those in which glucagon and high dosage aprotinin (Trasylol) have been utilized in the management of acute pancreatitis.

Acute Disease↗