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A Salas

Publications and source records attributed to A Salas.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Visceral leishmaniasis: another HIV-associated opportunistic infection? Report of eight cases and review of the literature.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is considered an opportunistic infection in immunocompromised patients. We review the clinical, laboratory, and therapeutic data in 63 patients (eight new cases and 55 cases reported in the literature) with Mediterranean VL (kala azar) and HIV-1 infection to determine whether VL should be considered an opportunistic infection in HIV-infected adults. We conclude that: (1) in areas where both leishmaniasis and HIV-1 infection are endemic, VL may be more frequent among HIV-infected adults; (2) in HIV-infected patients, the clinical picture did not differ significantly from classical kala azar, although it often ran a recurrent course, with resistance to antimonial therapy. We propose the inclusion of VL in the IVC-2 subgroup of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) clinical classification of HIV-1 infection while prospective and larger studies further define whether there are clinical presentations that could justify adding VL to the list of opportunistic infections indicative of AIDS.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Participation of thromboxane and other eicosanoid synthesis in the course of experimental inflammatory colitis.

Eicosanoids, as modulators of inflammation, may be involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. We investigated their potential role in a rat model of chronic granulomatous colonic inflammation induced by trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid. Luminal eicosanoid release was quantified in vivo using a dialysis bag placed into the distal colon. We tested the effect of drugs known to modify inflammatory activity or arachidonic acid metabolism. Three days after intracolonic injection of trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid at different dose levels, the dialysates showed a highly significant increase of prostaglandin E2, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, thromboxane B2 (TXB2), and leukotriene B4, compared with levels in controls not subjected to the toxic agent. Remarkably, the release of TXB2 continued to increase during the stage of chronic inflammation (up to day 21), whereas the levels of the remainder eicosanoids declined. Treatment with prednisone or 5-aminosalicylic acid reduced TXB2 levels in the chronic stage of the inflammatory disease and improved the morphological damage as assessed macroscopically and histologically. Moreover, two selective thromboxane synthetase inhibitors, OKY 1581 and R70416, significantly reduced the development of chronic inflammatory lesions in the colon while inhibiting the release of TXB2. Our results indicate that (1) luminal release of thromboxane increases in the chronic stage of colonic inflammation, (2) anti-inflammatory treatment reduces tissue damage and thromboxane release, and (3) selective thromboxane synthetase inhibition improves the course of the disease in our experimental model.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed1990

Neuromesenchymal hamartoma of the small bowel.

We present the case of a long small bowel stricture with pathological features similar to those described as "neuromuscular and vascular hamartoma," showing in addition extensive fatty submucosal infiltration and fibrous intramural nodules. In the controversy about the nature of this disorder, we consider it a separate entity. Taking into account that other mesenchymal tissues than the originally described can participate, we propose the alternative term of "neuromesenchymal hamartoma" of the small bowel.

Arteries↗
PubMed1990

Dietary fish oil reduces progression of chronic inflammatory lesions in a rat model of granulomatous colitis.

Eicosanoids are modulators of defensive and inflammatory processes in the gut mucosa, and may be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory lesions of the bowel. As omega-3 fatty acids compete with the omega-6 as precursors of eicosanoid synthesis, we compared the effects of dietary supplementation with either sunflower (source of omega-6) or cod liver (source of omega-3) oil on the development of chronic granulomatous lesions in the rat colon. After four weeks on the supplemented diets, plasma omega-6 fatty acid content was significantly higher in the sunflower group, while omega-3 fatty acids predominated in the cod liver group. Inflammatory colitis was then induced by intracolonic administration of trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid. Luminal eicosanoid release, as measured by radioimmunoassay of intracolonic dialysis fluid, increased significantly after the challenge in both groups. Generation of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and leucotriene B4 (LTB4) peaked by day 3 and thereafter declined; thromboxane B2 (TXB2), instead, continued to increase from day 3 to 20 in sunflower fed rats, whereas this change was blunted in cod liver animals. The rats were killed 20, 30, or 50 days after the induction of colitis, and the colonic lesions were scored macroscopically (adhesions to surrounding tissues, strictures, ulcerations, and wall thickness) and histologically (ulceration, inflammation, depth of the lesions, and fibrosis). In cod liver animals, the damage score was markedly reduced by day 30, and inflammation and ulceration were almost absent by day 50. In conclusion, a fish oil diet prevents the increase in thromboxane in the chronic state of inflammation and shortens the course of the colonic disease by diminishing both the severity of the lesions and their progression to chronicity.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Infection caused by the human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus and delta virus in homosexual males].

Serological markers of hepatitis B (HBV) and human immunodeficiency (HVI) viruses were investigated in the sera of 90 homosexual males. In addition, in HBsAg positive individuals antibodies against delta virus (DV) were also investigated. Forty sera (44.4%) were positive for HBV and HIV, 61 (67.7%) for HBV and 52 (57.7%) for HIV. HBsAg was detected in 8 cases (8.8%), 7 of which had positive anti-HIV sera. In no case infection by DV was detected. These data show the high prevalence of HBV and HIV infection in the study population. They also suggest that the HBsAg carrier status is more common among HIV positive homosexual males and that the investigated homosexual population has not yet been infected by DV.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

Central regulation of gastric acid secretion by platelet-activating factor in anesthesized rats.

PAF has been implicated in the pathogenesis of acute gastric injury. When given peripherally, PAF induces severe gastric mucosal damage. PAF metabolizing enzymes are present in the brain but the central effects of PAF on the stomach are unknown. We have investigated in the rat the gastric secretion and gross mucosal integrity in response to intracerebroventricular (icv) PAF and compared it with that to icv TRH, a known central gastric secretagogue. Gastric acid output was markedly increased by TRH (171.6 +/- 26.3 mumol/h mean +/- SE) and by 20 micrograms/kg/h iv pentagastrin (107.6 +/- 23.6) when compared to controls receiving icv vehicle (20.2 +/- 7.5; p less than 0.01 for both). In contrast, acid output decreased after icv PAF (13.5 +/- 7.5). Furthermore, icv PAF markedly inhibited acid output stimulated by iv pentagastrin (45.1 +/- 7.03; p less than 0.05). Morphological studies showed acute gastric mucosal erosions after icv TRH and no damage was observed after icv PAF or vehicle. Thus, icv PAF reduces pentagastrin stimulated acid output and does not alter gastric mucosal integrity, whereas icv TRH stimulates acid secretion and induces gastric injury. The opposite effects of PAF and TRH suggests the existence of a gastric modulatory system at the central level.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Opportunistic infections of the central nervous system in patients with AIDS].

Between August 1985 and March 1989 we had evaluated 70 AIDS patients. We had identified 7 opportunistic Central Nervous System infections, others toxoplasmosis and tuberculosis: A case of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy presented with aphasia as their initial manifestation, a probable herpesvirus type 1 polyradiculoneuropathy, four cryptococcal meningitis and syphilitic neuroretinitis.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

[Cerebral toxoplasmosis in patients with AIDS].

A retrospective study was made of the cases of cerebral toxoplasmosis (CT) diagnosed since 1985 in patients with AIDS. In the period studied, out of a total of 70 patients with AIDS, 13 (18.5%) were diagnosed with CT. In eight cases (11%) CT was the first illness indicating AIDS. The clinical, neuro-radiological and serological findings were analyzed. Also the response to treatment with pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine. Although the rate of mortality from CT has been very low among our patients, relapses have been frequent, even in patients who were on maintenance treatment with pyrimethamine, and in the medium term the prognosis is made more gloomy by the appearance of other opportunistic infections.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

CNS effects of platelet-activating factor on the rat stomach.

PAF has been implicated in the pathogenesis of acute gastric injury. When administered peripherally, PAF induces severe gastric mucosal damage. PAF-metabolizing enzymes are present in the brain, but the central effects of PAF on the stomach are unknown. We have investigated gastric secretory and mucosal response to i.c.v. PAF in the rat and compared it with that of i.c.v. thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), a known central gastric secretagogue. Gastric acid output was markedly increased by TRH (171.6 +/- 26.3 mumol/h mean +/- SE) and by 20 micrograms/kg/h i.v. pentagastrin (107.6 +/- 23.6), as compared to controls receiving i.c.v. vehicle (20.2 +/- 7.5; p less than 0.01 for both). In contrast, acid output decreased after i.c.v. PAF (13.5 +/- 7.5). Furthermore, i.c.v. PAF markedly inhibited acid output stimulated by i.v. pentagastrin (45.1 +/- 7.03; p less than 0.05). Morphologic studies showed acute gastric mucosal erosions after i.c.v. TRH, but no damage was observed after i.c.v. PAF or vehicle. Thus, i.c.v. PAF inhibits gastric acid secretion but does not alter gastric mucosal integrity, whereas i.c.v. TRH stimulates acid secretion and induces gastric injury. The opposite effects of PAF and TRH suggest the existence of a gastric modulatory system at the central level.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Intravenous streptokinase in acute myocardial infarction. Reduction of early in-hospital mortality].

A randomized study of the effects of intravenous streptokinase was performed in 214 patients with an acute myocardial infarction of less than 4 hours of whom 110 were included in the therapeutic group (SK) and 104 in the control group (C). Incidence of angiographic recanalization was higher in SK group (71 vs 28%, p less than 0.001) as that of non-significant residual coronary artery stenosis (less than 70%, 16% vs 3%, p less than 0.005), particularly in young patients (less than 45 years; 42% vs 8%, p less than 0.05). However, SK group presented a higher incidence of severe residual stenosis (90-99%) (SK, 42% vs C, 22%, p less than 0.01). Ejection fraction was higher among recanalized patients in both groups. Peak CPK-MB occurred earlier in SK group (13 vs 19 hours, p less than 0.001) and also among the recanalized patients of each group (SK, 12 vs 16 hours, p less than 0.001; C, 15 vs 21 hours, 0.002). The course of ST segment was similar in the 2 groups. The occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias within the first hour was greater in SK group (40% vs 20%, p less than 0.002), whereas the incidence of pericarditis (14% vs 35%, p less than 0.001) and of early mortality (less than 5 days, 2% vs 10%, p less than 0.02) was lower in SK group. The incidence of cardiac rupture, confirmed at necropsy in each of the 5 cases studied, was also lower in SK group (1 vs 8).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗