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Biomedical subjects

C Klingenberg

Publications and source records attributed to C Klingenberg.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Neonatal morbidity and mortality in a Tanzanian tertiary care referral hospital.

In developing countries, neonatal mortality accounts for 50-70% of infant mortality. The purpose of this study was to describe morbidity and mortality patterns, with a focus on neonatal infections, in a Tanzanian special care baby unit (SCBU). During a 3-month period, 246 consecutive admissions to the SCBU at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre were audited. Prematurity, low birthweight and suspected infection accounted for 61% of all admissions. The overall mortality rate was 19%, but varied considerably according to gestational age, birthweight and diagnosis. Thirty-one neonates (two-thirds of all deaths) died during the 1st 24 hours of life. Of 27 infants admitted on grounds of perinatal asphyxia, 11 (41%) died, and, of 19 infants with a gestational age <31 weeks, 13 (68%) died. More than two-thirds of all infants were treated with antibiotics. Septicaemia confirmed by blood culture was found in 16 cases. The susceptibility pattern of bacterial isolates did not indicate high rates of resistance to commonly used antibacterial agents. A reduction in the number of preterm deliveries and improved perinatal care to avoid and treat perinatal asphyxia would be the two most important measures in reducing neonatal mortality in this setting.

Asphyxia Neonatorum↗
PubMed2001

[Stickler's syndrome--an underdiagnosed condition?].

BACKGROUND: Stickler's syndrome is an autosomal dominantly inherited connective tissue disorder characterised by ocular, orofacial, skeletal and auditory features. The estimated prevalence is 1:10,000. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present a girl with the salient features of Stickler syndrome. Based on a literature search on Medline, we present an overview of this disorder. RESULTS: The patient presented at birth with Pierre Robin sequence and bilateral exophtalmus. Serial ophthalmological investigations have revealed a non-progressive myopia of high degree and abnormalities of the vitreous gel architecture. From the age of three, she had joint hypermobility and joint pain. Her intelligence is normal, but she requires speech therapy because of problems with articulation. INTERPRETATION: Recent research has provided a better understanding of the molecular genetic background of this condition. According to mutations in three genes encoding type II- and/or type XI-collagen, Stickler's syndrome can be subclassified into type 1, 2 and 3, but there is a considerable clinical overlap in symptoms. Patients with mild symptoms may be undiagnosed. Once the diagnosis is established, a coordinated multidisciplinary follow-up approach is recommended.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed2001

Rapid PCR detection of the methicillin resistance gene, mecA, on the hands of medical and non-medical personnel and healthy children and on surfaces in a neonatal intensive care unit.

The hands of medical personnel are the chief vectors for transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and probably serve as an important reservoir for antibiotic resistance genes in hospitals. In this survey we examined different reservoirs of the methicillin resistance gene, mecA, using a simplified PCR method. Samples (n = 151) were taken from the hands of medical and non-medical personnel and healthy children and from surfaces in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). We also performed sampling from 4 different body sites in 5 of the medical personnel. Fifteen out of 16 nurses (94%) from the ICU carried the mecA gene on their hands, whereas only 35% of the paediatric nurses were mecA-positive. Of all medical personnel, 44% carried the mecA gene on their hands. There was a significant difference (p < 0.015) between medical and non-medical personnel in terms of the carriage rate of mecA. Four samples from surfaces in a NICU--2 ventilators, 1 bench and 1 telephone--were positive for mecA. Our results are comparable with those from previous studies on reservoirs of methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci using conventional culture techniques.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Rapid detection of the methicillin-resistance gene, mecA, in coagulase-negative Staphylococci.

Phenotypical methods are routinely used to detect methicillin resistance in Staphylococci. These methods are time-consuming and there are difficulties in detecting all resistant strains carrying the mecA gene. We detected methicillin-resistant Staphylococci in biological samples by PCR amplification of mecA, without the time-consuming step of identifying a bacterial isolate. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococci isolates were also detected by screening on agar supplemented with oxacillin. The biological samples were collected from the hands of 17 healthcare workers at the Department of Paediatrics at the University Hospital of Tromsø. mecA was amplified in 12 of the 17 samples. The gene was verified by DNA sequencing of the PCR amplicon. Using the phenotypical method, methicillin-resistant Staphylococci were isolated from 6 of the samples. In all 6 of these samples, mecA was amplified by PCR. We conclude that PCR is a sensitive and specific method for detecting methicillin resistance in Staphylococci. The PCR detection of mecA is rapid, fairly simple and can easily be assimilated into the routines of a clinical microbiological laboratory.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1998

[Latex allergy].

We describe a mother and two children with latex allergy. Their symptoms illustrate the variations in the manifestations of latex allergy. This article reviews currently known aspects of this condition, including diagnosis and treatment. Latex allergy is a hypersensitive response to allergens in natural rubber latex products. It has long been known that latex exposure can cause contact dermatitis. Since 1979 there has been an increasing number of cases of IgE-mediated immediate hypersensitivity reactions, ranging from mild local urticaria to fatal anaphylaxis. The prevalence of latex allergy in the general population is still unknown, but it seems to be less than 1%. Children with spina bifida or urogenital abnormalities, health care workers and workers in the latex industry are known to be high risk groups. Patients belonging to high risk groups or patients with a positive history of latex allergy should be offered testing. High risk patients should be subjected to minimal exposure to latex, and procedures on all patients with a positive history of latex allergy should be performed in a latex-free environment.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Latex allergy].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Dermatitis, Allergic Contact↗
PubMed1993

[Retroperitoneal chylous cyst].

In pathology, cysts of the retroperitoneum are usually classified together with omental and mesenteric cysts. Because of risk of complications and malignancy these cysts should be extirpated. The frequency of complications and recurrence after surgery is significantly higher for retroperitoneal cysts than for the other types mentioned above. We describe a patient with a retroperitoneal chylous cyst of three litres. Correct diagnosis was made by CT-scan and chemical analysis of cyst fluid prior to surgery. The cyst was removed completely using an intercostal, retroperitoneal approach. The postoperative course was uneventful, and no evidence of recurrence was found after six months.

Adult↗