Biomedical subjects

C S Block

Publications and source records attributed to C S Block.

21 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Transfusion reactions due to bacterial contamination of blood and blood products.

Bacterial infections transmitted by blood or blood products, although rare, remain a serious threat to the recipient of a transfusion. We report on five cases of adverse reactions due to bacterial contamination of blood products, and we review 76 similar cases reported in the English-language literature. Most cases (70%) have been reported from the United States. Various sources of contamination have been suggested, including infection in the donor and invasion of the blood product during the process of collection, preparation, and storage. Frequent clinical manifestations are fever (80%), chills (53%), hypotension (37%), and nausea or vomiting (26%). The overall mortality is 35% (28 of 81 patients). In 38 patients (47%) the adverse reactions have appeared during transfusion; in the others the interval between completion of the transfusion and appearance of symptoms has ranged from 15 minutes to 17 days. A wide spectrum of bacteria have been implicated as causes of adverse reactions, with Pseudomonas species involved in 28% of episodes. Many such reactions are probably misdiagnosed or overlooked, the result being underestimation of the extent of the problem.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis in renal transplant recipients: report of three cases and review of the literature.

Mucormycosis is an opportunistic infection caused by fungi of the order Mucorales. The commonest clinical form is rhinocerebral mucormycosis, which has been described as characteristically complicating diabetes mellitus and leukemia. Three patients with rhinocerebral mucormycosis complicating renal transplantation are described, and 11 additional cases recorded in the English-language medical literature are reviewed. The mean age of the 14 patients was 36 years, and the ratio of males to females was 1.8:1. Diabetes mellitus was present in only five patients, and polycystic kidney was the most common underlying renal disease. Most kidney grafts were obtained from cadavers. Eight patients had evidence of graft rejection, and the majority had been receiving corticosteroids and azathioprine. The initial manifestations of infections became evident two days to four years after transplantation (median, two months). Facial swelling, tissue necrosis, and cranial nerve involvement were common. Seven of 14 cases occurred in Israel, a finding suggesting the intervention of local factors. Despite antifungal and/or surgical therapy, nine patients died as a consequence of the infection days to months after diagnosis. Although a rare complication, rhinocerebral mucormycosis remains a serious threat to the kidney transplant recipient.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A simple, disposable end-tidal carbon dioxide detector.

Detection of expired carbon dioxide is one of the most reliable methods of avoiding accidental esophageal intubation. Although capnography has become a standard monitoring technique in the hospital operating room, it is rarely available in the office setting or other arenas where emergency endotracheal intubation may be required. A new and inexpensive device, however, has been developed for assessing end-tidal carbon dioxide. This semi-quantitative detector fits between the endotracheal tube and the breathing circuit and uses a pH-sensitive indicator that changes color in response to different concentrations of carbon dioxide. Clinical studies indicate that this device provides similar results to standard capnography, and its inclusion in the emergency kit is strongly recommended.

Blood Gas Analysis↗