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Biomedical subjects

B Christoforov

Publications and source records attributed to B Christoforov.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Joint and systemic manifestations related to type 2 anti-mitochondrial antibodies].

The aim of the study was to assess the significance of type 2 anti-mitochondrial antibodies in patients with systemic and inflammatory rheumatic disease. Articular and systemic manifestations of 8 patients associated with type 2 anti-mitochondrial antibodies are described. All the patients had hepatic abnormalities, and 5 of them disclosed a primary biliary cirrhosis. Articular and systemic manifestations were similar to those observed in primary biliary cirrhosis. Therefore, the finding of anti-mitochondrial antibodies in patients with systemic or inflammatory rheumatic disease implies research for other systemic manifestations such as primary biliary cirrhosis.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Treatment of polyarteritis nodosa related to hepatitis B virus with interferon-alpha and plasma exchanges.

OBJECTIVES: To test the effectiveness of and tolerance to interferon-alpha 2b (INFa2b) in association with plasma exchanges for the treatment of polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) related to hepatitis B virus (HBV). METHODS: A prospective, non blinded, multicentre trial was carried out in which patients with multisystemic HBV-related PAN were included. Each patient received the association of INFa2b and plasma exchanges. The end point of the study was control of the disease (recovery or remission) or death. RESULTS: Six patients were included in the study. Each patient had histopathological or arteriographic evidence of vasculitis and was infected with actively replicating HBV. All patients were alive at the end of the study and no longer presented clinical or laboratory evidence of systemic vasculitis. HBeAg/anti-HBeAb seroconversion was observed in four patients (66.6%) and HBsAg/anti-HBsAb in 3/6 (50%). Two patients are still being treated with INFa2b because of chronic active hepatitis. CONCLUSIONS: It is considered that this new therapeutic approach to HBV-related PAN effectively cured systemic vasculitis and was associated with control of HBV infections. Antiviral therapy may have a role to play as the first line treatment regime of virus-induced vasculitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Clinical and epidemiological aspects of Horton disease based on survey methods in ophthalmology or internal medicine].

We conducted a retrospective study of 29 consecutive cases of temporal arteritis, all with definite histological diagnostic criteria. The epidemiological aspects of the main clinical and biological features were compared according to their mode of recruitment, the patients being hospitalized either in an ophthalmological unit (n = 15), or in an Internal Medicine unit (n = 14). The level of fever and of sedimentation rate were significantly less in the ophthalmological group (respectively p < 0.001 and p < 0.02), a third of which is represented by the purely ophthalmological manifestation called "occult temporal arteritis". Among the ophthalmological manifestations, despite the fact that the recruitment bias prevented any strict epidemiological comparison, we were surprised to find no significant difference between the two groups concerning the frequency of transient ophthalmological manifestations, which confirmed in half the patients their reputation of forerunners of irreversible lesions. Thus, the presentation of temporal arteritis differs according to its ophthalmological or Internal Medicine recruitment. We were unable to determine a precise chronology difference in the principal manifestations between these two groups. The severity of the ocular manifestations justifies looking for temporal arteritis in all cases of transient ophthalmological manifestations, even if clinically totally isolated.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

[HIV infection in intravenous drug addicts].

Clinical course of HIV infection was studied among 156 intravenous drug users (IVDU). Mean follow up was 22.7 months. Characteristics of HIV infection in IVDU were frequent oral candidiasis and bacterial infections (BI), more frequent progression to AIDS after a second BI, rapid decline of CD4+ in a group of current IVDU. Progression to AIDS was 14.5% per year, not different among current and former IVDU. Twenty five IVDU died.

HIV Infections↗
PubMed1993

[Behaviors at risk of the intravenous drug addicts and prevention of HIV infection].

Needle sharing and sexual behaviour were studied in 396 intraveinous drug addicts (IVDA). Only 20% stopped needle sharing and used condoms. They were 6% before 1990 and 23% after. Both preventive measures were adopted by 32 of 78 HIV positive and only 25 of 210 HIV negative IVDA. Attention is drawn on the need for specific measures for prevention of heterosexual transmission of HIV infection by IVDA.

Female↗
PubMed1992

[Pregnant seropositive drug addicts].

Understanding actual experiences of sexuality and pregnancy in HIV positive drug addicts is essential for the prevention of AIDS dissemination. A rigorous organization and a coherent therapeutic project are needed for pregnancy supervision (pregnancy being carried on in over 50 percent of cases), for psychological preparation to the recognition of foetus reality and birth, and for newborn follow up to prevent his abandonment. The specific problems of pregnancy, seropositivity and drug addiction should be taken into account at the same time. The intervention of a voluntary, motivated and polyvalent team and a hospital opening towards outreach workers are two essential conditions of success.

Adult↗