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Biomedical subjects

C Hurtado

Publications and source records attributed to C Hurtado.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Significance of investigating viral DNA in serum from patients with hepatitis B].

The DNA-HBV was investigated in 109 serum samples from 75 patients with different forms of infection with the HB virus, using an RIA hybridization technique (Genostic-Abott). DNA-HBV was present in 12 of 18 cases of acute hepatitis, 1 of 3 patients with fulminant disease, 11 of 14 patients with chronic hepatitis and/or cirrhosis, 2 of 10 patients with hepatoma and 6 of 30 asymptomatic chronic carriers. Presence of DNA-HBV beyond 60 days in 7 patients with acute hepatitis established the chronic state. The highest levels were found in patients with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis (mean 41 +/- 11 pg/ml) and the lowest in chronic carriers and patients with hepatoma. High levels of DNA-HBV denote persistent viral replication and would support antiviral treatment. Thus, investigation of DNA-HBV has diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic implications in patients with Hepatitis B.

DNA, Viral↗
PubMed1991

Activity of vancomycin and teicoplanin against human polymorphonuclear leucocytes: a comparative study.

The in-vitro effects of therapeutic concentrations of teicoplanin and vancomycin on the adherence, spontaneous mobility, chemotaxis, phagocytic and candidacidal capacity of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) were studied. Adherence was not affected by the tested concentrations of teicoplanin. A progressive diminishing of adherence was observed in relation to the control, which reached 30% with the maximum concentration of vancomycin (50 mg/L), although this was not statistically significant. An increase in spontaneous mobility was noted after 30 min incubation in the presence of any one of the tested concentrations of both antibiotics, although the results were only significant (P less than 0.05) for 50 mg/L of teicoplanin. Chemotaxis increased, although not significantly (P greater than 0.05) in the presence of 10 and 50 mg/L of teicoplanin, and diminished with respect to the control very significantly (P less than 0.019) when 1 and 50 mg/L of vancomycin were tested. The study of the phagocytic and candidacidal capacity of the PMNs on Candida albicans showed that teicoplanin had a favourable effect on both functions, even though the differences were not statistically significant.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1991

[Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: a frequent and recurrent complication in cirrhotic patients with ascites].

One hundred and twenty consecutive patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites were prospectively studied in order to analyze the frequency, clinical and bacteriological features, recurrence, and prognosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). Two variants of SBP were defined: culture positive SBP and culture negative neutrocytic ascites (CNNA). During a follow-up of 6 +/- 2 months, thirty three episodes in 23 patients were identified. Nineteen episodes had ascites positive cultures (58%). The total mortality rate associated with SBP was 39%. (47% for culture positive form and 29% for CNNA). Seven of 15 cirrhotics who had recovered from a first episode of SBP (46%) had 10 recurrences. Mortality associated with SBP recurrence was 50%. Six-month survival probability was 65% in patients with sterile ascites and 33% in SPB (p < 0.05). Impairment of liver function was present in 23 episodes (70%) but abdominal complaints occurred only in one/third and 4 (12%) were asymptomatic. E coli was the most frequent agent involved in culture positive SBP. We confirm that SBP is a frequent, recurrent and severe complication of ascites in cirrhotics. Episodes of SBP without abdominal symptoms or with a silent course are not infrequent. Then, SBP recognition requires ample use of diagnostic paracentesis.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Spontaneous bacterial pleuritis in 3 patients with liver cirrhosis].

We report 4 episodes of spontaneous bacterial pleuritis observed in 3 patients with liver cirrhosis complicated by ascites and pleural effusion. This infection mimics spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Three episodes were successfully treated. Proposed pathogenesis, diagnostic methods and therapy are discussed.

Ascites↗
PubMed1990

[Antiviral therapy with recombinant alpha-interferon in chronic B virus hepatitis].

Two patients with chronic Hepatitis B virus infection were treated with recombinant alpha-interferon. A positive response with seroconversion from HbeAg to Anti HBe and loss of HBsAg and appearance of Anti-HBs was obtained in one patient. Clinical characteristics and factors that may influence the response are discussed in the light of a review of the literature.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed1990

[Anti-hepatitis C viral antibodies in different pathological entities in Chile].

In order to determine the prevalence of anti-hepatitis C viral antibodies in Chile, we determined antibody titers in preserved serum from 91 subjects using an ELISA method. The number and percentage of patients with positive titers was as follows: hemophiliacs without evidence of liver disease 88% (n = 25); prostitutes 0% (n = 25); sporadic non A non B hepatitis 0% (n = 12); chronic non alcoholic hepatitis with negative anti-HbsAg and anti HBc 63% (n = 10); hepatomas with negative titers as indicated for the previous group 30% (n = 10); post transfusion non A non B hepatitis 66% (n = 3). These results suggest that transfusion of blood products may be the main etiologic factor for Hepatitis C in our population.

Chile↗
PubMed1990

[Acute hepatitis by virus B in Chile: clinical and developmental characteristics].

We report clinical characteristics and follow up in 31 patients with acute B-hepatitis. Twenty were male and the age ranged from 9 to 80 years (mean 38). The infecting mechanism was probably related to homosexuality in 11, parenteral contact in 4 (1 post transfusional), health care workers in 4, home contact in 3, promiscuity in 3 and unknown in 6. Of 24 patients followed for a mean of 2 years, 20 recovered completely (84%). Anti HBs appeared 2 to 17 months (mean 8.3) after disappearance of HBsAg. Two had fulminant hepatitis and died, 1 developed chronic active hepatitis and 1 with subfulminant disease died after 6.5 months. Thus, the known risk factors for B-Hepatitis are confirmed in this series.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1990

[Paracentesis combined with albumin infusion in the treatment of tense ascites in cirrhotic patients].

We randomized 31 cirrhotic patients with tense ascites to a Group A receiving only diuretic therapy (spironolactone, furosemide, n = 14) or a Group B treated with paracentesis and intravenous albumin infusion (n = 17). Ascites was eliminated in 88% of patients in Group B compared to 57% of patients in Group A (p < 0.05). Complications developed in 4 patients in Group A and 2 patients in Group B. Paracentesis was associated to a mild and transient reduction in mean arterial pressure and a significant rise in urinary output. Duration of hospital stay was 5 +/- 3 days in Group B and 22 +/- 6 in Group A (p < 0.001). Survival and likelihood of readmission for ascites was similar in both groups. Our results suggest that paracentesis plus intravenous albumin infusion is a fast, safe and effective therapy for tense ascites in cirrhotic patients.

Albumins↗
PubMed1990

[Thallium poisoning: Prussian blue treatment in 4 cases].

Four patients with thallium toxicity were treated with Prussian blue, 125 mg/kg/day. The diagnosis was made on clinical grounds and confirmed by detection of thallium in the urine. Electromyographic, evoked potentials and electroencephalographic studies confirmed quick clinical and electrophysiologic improvement of the patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes on Escherichia coli previously exposed to metronidazole.

A study was made of the action of different concentrations of metronidazole of the viability of Escherichia coli under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The viability of E. coli was reduced by 60 to 99% after 24 hours of anaerobic incubation, according to the concentration of metronidazole tested. In addition, there were significant morphological changes in the bacteria. Exposure of antibiotic-induced filaments of E. coli LP 136 to phagocytosis caused the cfu/ml value to drop by 60% after 120 minutes. Under identical conditions, using the mutant strain E. coli RYC 819, which did not become filamented by metronidazole although it did present similar ultrastructural changes, this reduction reached 83%. These results may explain the therapeutic success of metronidazole in polymicrobial infections.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Hydrolysis of bis(5'-nucleosidyl) polyphosphates by Escherichia coli 5'-nucleotidase.

Two enzymatic activities that split diadenosine triphosphate have been reported in Escherichia coli: a specific Mg-dependent bis(5'-adenosyl) triphosphatase (EC 3.6.1.29) and the bis(5'-adenosyl) tetraphosphatase (EC 3.6.1.41). In addition to the activities of these two enzymes, a different enzyme activity that hydrolyzes dinucleoside polyphosphates is described. After purification and study of its molecular and kinetic properties, we concluded that it corresponded to the 5'-nucleotidase (EC 3.1.3.5) that has been described in E. coli. The enzyme was purified from sonic extracts and osmotic shock fluid. From sonic extracts, two isoforms were isolated by chromatography on ion-exchange Mono Q columns; they had a molecular mass of about 100 kilodaltons (kDa). From the osmotic shock fluid, a unique form of 52 kDa was recovered. Mild heating transformed the 100-kDa isoform to a 52-kDa form, with an increase in activity of about threefold. The existence of a 5'-nucleotidase inhibitor described previously, which associates with the enzyme and is not liberated in the osmotic shock fluid, may have been responsible for these results. The kinetic properties and substrate specificities of both forms (52 and 100 kDa) were almost identical. The enzyme, which is known to hydrolyze AMP and uridine-(5')-diphospho-(1)-alpha-D-glucose, but not adenosine-(5')-diphospho-(1)-alpha-D-glucose, was also able to split adenosine-(5')-diphospho-(5)-beta-D-ribose, ribose-5-phosphate, and dinucleoside polyphosphates [diadenosine 5',5'''-P1,P2-diphosphate,diadenosine 5',5'''-P1,P3-triphosphate, diadenosine 5',5'''-P1,P4-tetraphosphate, and bis(5'-guanosyl) triphosphate]. The effects of divalent cations and pH on the rate of the reaction with different substrates were studied.

5'-Nucleotidase↗
PubMed1989

[Subjects infected with human immunodeficiency virus: serological markers of prognostic value].

Three stages in the course of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have been recognized: asymptomatic, AIDS related complex (AIDS-RC) and clinical AIDS. In contrast to asymptomatic patients, subjects with clinical AIDS show HIV antigens in serum and a disappearance of antibodies against the main viral core (anti-P24). In 31 subjects infected with HIV we measured serum HIV antigens and anti-P24 antibodies (ELISA). Twelve were asymptomatic, 7 had AIDS-RC and 12 were patients with clinical AIDS. HIV antigens were positive in 9 of 11 AIDS cases but only in 1 AIDS-RC and 1 asymptomatic patient. Anti-P24 were present in only 3 AIDS cases and in the majority of asymptomatic and AIDS-RC cases. The only asymptomatic patient with HIV antigen positive and anti-P24 negative serum developed polyarthritis, fever and salmonellosis 3 years later. One patient with AIDS-RC and similar serologic findings remains stable and all patients with clinical AIDS have died. Determination of these serum markers may be helpful in establishing a prognosis in HIV infected patients.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMed1989

[Diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases in Chilean pregnant adolescents].

We searched in 100 healthy pregnant women by isolation, the presence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Herpes simplex, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum and Chlamydia trachomatis. Blood was also taken for examination of specific antibodies to these microorganisms. We studied only for antibodies titled Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Treponema pallidum and Human Immunodeficiency Virus, and Condyloma acuminatum by cervical cytology. In 85 adolescents we found 5 (6%) patients with C. trachomatis, four of these patients had another microorganism added, one with N. gonorrhoeae, M. hominis and U. Urealyticum, one with U. urealyticum and the last two with M. hominis and U. urealyticum, In relation to Mycoplasmas 69 (81%) out of 85 had Mycoplasmas, 4 (5%) had M. hominis, 46 (54%) U. urealyticum and 19 (22%) patients had both. The seropositivity to CMV was 96.25%. We didn't find any other microorganism. We concluded that the rate of STD in chilean pregnant adolescent women is high, especially with no traditional bacteria.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Seroprevalence of AIDS in Chilean male and female prostitutes. II. Male prostitution].

ELISA test to detect HIV-1 antibodies was performed to 65 homosexuals and homosexual male prostitutes in a Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Clinic in Santiago de Chile together with a survey about risk factors. It was found that 40 of them (62%) practice prostitution with a rate of 1.5% clients per day. All the studied group presented dissemination of HIV risk factors like low frequency usage of condom, patients hide their homosexual condition, they have donated blood, they do not manifest an attitude towards changing their behaviors and have had intercourse with the opposite sex. We found 1 (1.54%) seropositive confirmed by Western blot in a homosexual who does not practice prostitution.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗