Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

B Byl

Publications and source records attributed to B Byl.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Antibiotic prophylaxis for infectious complications after therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of antibiotic prophylaxis before diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in 82 uninfected patients with cholestasis due to biliary tree obstruction of single or multiple causes. The patients were assigned to receive piperacillin (4 g) or placebo three times daily; prophylaxis was started just before initial ERCP and was continued until biliary drainage was completely unobstructed (by one or more ERCP procedures); the maximal duration of prophylaxis was 7 days. Nine patients were withdrawn from the study, and five others could not be assessed because of protocol violations. The 68 clinically evaluable patients underwent 81 therapeutic ERCP procedures. Clinical success (defined as an absence of fever, cholangitis, and clinical signs of sepsis during the 48 hours after the last dose of piperacillin or placebo) was documented for 32 (94%) of the 34 patients given piperacillin and for 24 (71%) of the 34 patients given placebo (odds ratio, 6.66; P = .01). Complete biliary drainage influenced clinical outcome favorably (odds ratio, 5.0; P = .02). All seven instances of bacteriologic failure (bacteremia) involved patients in the placebo group (P < .01). We concluded that antimicrobial prophylaxis significantly reduces the incidence of septic complications after therapeutic ERCP among patients presenting with cholestasis.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Interleukin-10 production during septicaemia.

Interleukin-10 is produced during incubation of human whole blood with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and down-regulates tumour necrosis factor-alpha production in this in-vitro model of endotoxaemia. 39 out of 69 (57%) patients with gram-negative (n = 25) or gram-positive septicaemia (n = 44) had increased plasma interleukin-10 (range 12-2740 pg/mL), whereas interleukin-10 was undetectable in 29 out of 33 control patients without infection and in 20 healthy volunteers. Patients with septic shock (n = 21) had higher interleukin-10 (main 58 pg/mL) than septicaemic patients without shock (11 pg/mL, p < 0.001). We conclude that interleukin-10 is produced during sepsis and might be involved in the control of the inflammatory response induced by bacterial products.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Microbiological specimen collection in the emergency room.

The first step in the accurate diagnosis of infectious diseases is to provide the laboratory with adequate specimens for microbiological examination. The sample must be representative of the disease process: samples collected on body surfaces, harbouring saprophytic germ are less reliable than aspiration of closed body areas. A sufficient quantity of infectious material, preferably sampled with a syringe aspiration than with a swab, must be transported rapidly to the laboratory. Finally, close collaboration between the clinician and the microbiologist is essential for appropriate collection of selected specimens and corrected interpretation of the bacteriological results. Gram-stained smear examination of the samples is extremely useful and can provide immediate information for initiation of rational empiric antibiotic treatment. The indications for blood cultures sampling are reviewed. Number of blood cultures and volume of blood per culture are important. Screening of the sputum to discard samples too contaminated by the saliva is mandatory: if only screened samples are considered, a sputum Gram stain is a reliable guide to empiric therapy. Gram stain is also essential in the examination of the cerebrospinal fluid as well as is the detection of bacterial antigens. Cytological and chemical characteristics of this exudate are useful in differentiating bacterial meningitis from other diseases but there is considerable overlap between the laboratory parameters of bacterial meningitis and infections of other etiologies.

Blood↗
PubMed1993

Tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 6 plasma levels in infected cirrhotic patients.

BACKGROUND: Patients with liver cirrhosis disclose both increased production and decreased metabolism of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). The present study analyzes the characteristic pattern of these cytokines during sepsis in cirrhotics. METHODS: TNF-alpha and IL-6 plasma levels, measured during 15 days from the onset of cirrhotic decompensation or of the septic event, were compared between 14 infected patients with liver cirrhosis, 18 uninfected decompensated cirrhotic patients, and 35 septicemic patients devoid of liver disease. Cytokines were measured using immunoassays. RESULTS: In infected cirrhotics, initial levels of both TNF-alpha and IL-6 were significantly higher than in noninfected cirrhotic patients (P < 0.0001) or in septicemic patients devoid of cirrhosis (P < 0.001). Initial IL-6 plasma levels (threshold, 200 pg/mL) showed 89% specificity and 100% sensitivity in discriminating cirrhotic decompensation due to infection from that caused by other factors. TNF-alpha and IL-6 plasma levels remained significantly higher for many days in infected cirrhotic patients compared with the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both the profoundly increased initial levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 and their persistence over days after sepsis onset seem characteristic of the cirrhotic patients. The exact relationship between prolonged exposure to TNF-alpha and poor prognosis in these patients is unknown, but it might represent a unique opportunity for the use of anti-TNF-alpha antibodies during sepsis.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Role of quinolones in the treatment of bronchopulmonary infections, particularly pneumococcal and community-acquired pneumonia.

In view of their antimicrobial activity and pharmacological properties, fluoroquinolones should be suitable for the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections. The overall clinical success rate using enoxacin, ofloxacin, pefloxacin, and ciprofloxacin ranges from 81% to 89%. Despite relatively high MICs of the fluoroquinolones for Streptococcus pneumoniae, the clinical success rate of these drugs in pneumococcal infections is 91%, but the eradication rate of this pathogen is lower (73%). In addition, fluoroquinolones appeared to be as effective as standard antibiotic regimens for treatment of bronchopulmonary infections in most of the comparative trials reported. The new quinolones could be a good alternative for treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, especially if examination of the sputum reveals gram-negative pathogens. In community-acquired pneumonia, drugs other than quinolones seem indicated because of the limited efficacy of the new quinolones in the treatment of severe pneumococcal infections and the poor activity of these drugs against the anaerobic flora causing aspiration pneumonia. In contrast, new quinolones should be very suitable for treatment of nosocomial pulmonary infections due to gram-negative pathogens. Quinolones used with or without erythromycin and rifampin, might be useful in the treatment of Legionnaires' disease. The role of these drugs in treatment of Chlamydia and Rickettsiae infections remains to be defined.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Trichoderma viride infection in a liver transplant recipient.

A liver transplant recipient developed infection of a perihepatic haematoma due to Trichoderma viride. Before the infection was diagnosed, the patient received intense immuno-suppressive and prolonged antibacterial and anti-fungal therapies. Although the death of the patient was not directly related to the fungal infection, abundant quantities of this pathogen were recovered in the haematoma at post-mortem examination, despite previous surgical removal and treatment with amphotericin B and fluconazole.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Mediastinitis caused by Aspergillus fumigatus with ruptured aortic pseudoaneurysm in a heart transplant recipient: case study.

The case of a heart transplant recipient with a ruptured aortic pseudoaneurysm caused by an Aspergillus fumigatus mediastinitis is reported. Contamination of surgical fields occurring by air seeding during surgery appears to be the most probable source of infection. Subtle infectious signs of the wound and subacute course are remarkable features of this case.

Aortic Aneurysm↗