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Biomedical subjects

D E Stover

Publications and source records attributed to D E Stover.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

The use of a simple exercise test for the diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients with AIDS.

Because Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) is so common among patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1), a quick, simple test to evaluate for its presence or absence would be helpful. We report our results on the role of an exercise blood gas test as a useful procedure for the detection of Pneumocystis pneumonia in patients with respiratory symptoms who have or who are at risk for developing the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Results show that a normal exercise test, as defined in the study and in our patient population, eliminated PCP from the differential diagnosis. An abnormal test was most useful in separating out a group of patients who urgently needed a diagnosis because PCP was a likely possibility. There were no significant complications associated with this test.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

Pulmonary function tests.

The clinical significance of pulmonary function tests (including blood gas analysis) lies in their sensitivity for detecting PCP. PCP has most consistently been found to cause abnormalities in the DLCO and the exercise arterial blood gas; both are highly sensitive for the presence of Pneumocystis infection. These tests are more sensitive for the detection of PCP than are the resting arterial blood gas and chest x-ray. Therefore, measuring these values can be especially helpful in evaluating HIV-infected individuals who have pulmonary symptoms but whose resting arterial blood gas and/or chest radiograph are normal. The advantage of performing the exercise test over measuring the DLCO is that the exercise test is simple. It can be done without pulmonary function equipment and without a technologist. Furthermore, since many AIDS patients with non-PCP pulmonary disorders maintain "normal" exercise tests despite abnormal DLCO, it can be useful in evaluating patients for PCP who have known underlying lung disease with progressive symptoms. Measurement of lung volumes and spirometry lacks both sensitivity and specificity for detecting pulmonary disease in general and PCP in particular. Spirometry is helpful in detecting airways obstruction, which is not an uncommon finding in AIDS patients. The etiology, clinical significance, and treatment of obstructive ventilatory defects in the AIDS population remains unclear.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1986

Pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma in the acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Clinical, radiographic, and pathologic manifestations.

Pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma related to the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) has not been well characterized. To define the clinical, radiographic, and pathologic features of this entity, 11 autopsy-proved cases of pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma were reviewed. The most common clinical symptoms were dyspnea and cough, but hemoptysis and stridor were also found. Nodular infiltrates and pleural effusions were the most commonly found radiographic abnormalities. Pulmonary function tests were sensitive in detecting the pulmonary abnormalities due to Kaposi's sarcoma. A low diffusion capacity, lack of arterial desaturation with exercise, and obstruction to airflow were suggestive of pulmonary involvement with this malignancy. Although endobronchial Kaposi's sarcoma was visualized at bronchoscopy as cherry-red, slightly raised lesions, bronchial biopsy specimens always showed no abnormalities. Transbronchial brushings and biopsy specimens and analysis of pleural fluid were also not helpful in establishing a diagnosis. In the seven subjects with extensive parenchymal Kaposi's sarcoma at autopsy, the pleura was always involved. Eight subjects had involvement of the tracheobronchial tree. In all of the subjects, pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma was a significant cause of morbidity, and in three of 11 subjects (27 percent) it was the direct cause of death.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1985

Spectrum of pulmonary diseases associated with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Over a four-year period, 130 patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome were studied to assess the incidence and spectrum of pulmonary disease associated with this illness. In 61 patients (47 percent), respiratory abnormalities were either present on admission or later developed. Multiple pathologic processes were present simultaneously in 24 patients and serial pulmonary problems developed in seven patients. Infection was the most common cause of pulmonary parenchymal disease and was due to Pneumocystis carinii (35 patients), cytomegalovirus (21 patients), Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (13 patients), and bacteria (four patients). Noninfectious causes of parenchymal lung diseases were also frequently seen and included Kaposi's sarcoma (eight patients), non-specific pneumonitis (seven patients), and adult respiratory distress syndrome (four patients). Significant pleural disease was present in six cases and was usually related to Kaposi's sarcoma. A bronchospastic disorder developed in four patients. Pulmonary function tests, in particular the diffusing capacity and the difference between rest and exercise alveolar-arterial oxygen tension, were helpful in screening for pulmonary diseases. Patterns of clinical features and radiographic abnormalities were recognized and suggested specific diagnoses. Overall mortality from respiratory causes identified during the study was 41 percent, but varied markedly with the etiologic agent. Respiratory failure, however, carried a 100 percent mortality despite the underlying cause.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1985

Pulmonary cell populations in the immunosuppressed patient. Bronchoalveolar lavage findings during episodes of pneumonitis.

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cell populations were determined in 47 immunosuppressed patients during episodes of pulmonary disease. Thirty six patients had AIDS and 11 had conventional causes of immunosuppression. Pulmonary disease was due to a variety of infectious and noninfectious causes and was similar in both groups. In the AIDS patients, the mean BAL cell proportions were 64.2 +/- 3.7 percent alveolar macrophages (MACS), 28.7 +/- 3.4 percent lymphocytes, 3.5 +/- 1.8 percent polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) and 1.6 +/- 0.6 percent eosinophils (EOS). The non-AIDS group had similar findings in the BAL, with 59.3 +/- 8.3 percent MACS, 34.8 +/- 7.2 percent lymphocytes, 5.5 +/- 1.7 percent PMN and 0.4 +/- 0.2 percent EOS. The most striking finding in each group was a significant increase in both the proportion and absolute number of lymphocytes compared to controls. This was in marked contrast to the peripheral blood findings of lymphopenia. There was no characteristic cell profile diagnostic of any specific pulmonary disease. There was also no direct relationship of the cells present to respiratory symptoms, roentgenographic abnormalities or survival from pulmonary disease. This study demonstrates that although there was wide individual variation in lavage findings, a local pulmonary inflammatory reaction consisting predominantly of lymphocytes occurs in the immunosuppressed host during episodes of lung disease. The significance of this lymphocyte alveolitis and the complex host pathogen interaction responsible for determining the cell populations present in the lungs of these patients requires further study.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1984

Diagnosis of pulmonary disease in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Role of bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage.

The effectiveness of fiberoptic bronchoscopy with the addition of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was evaluated in 72 patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and parenchymal pulmonary disease. The diagnostic yield varied for different pathogens and was 94% (45/48 cases) for Pneumocystis carinii, 67% (14/21 cases) for cytomegalovirus, and 62% (8/13 cases) for Mycobacterium avium intracellulare. Of the 11 cases of documented Kaposi's sarcoma in the lung parenchyma, none were diagnosed from bronchoscopy, although characteristic endobronchial lesions were seen in 6 cases. Overall, the yield of bronchoscopy for all pathogens was 65%. Both transbronchial biopsy and BAL had high independent yields (88 and 85%, respectively) for diagnosing P. carinii pneumonia but combining the procedures gave the best yield. Cytomegalovirus was most often diagnosed from examination and culture of the BAL. Recovery of Mycobacterium avium intracellulare was highest with culture of both washings and lavage. Neither granuloma nor organisms were seen on examination of histologic specimens. Bronchoscopy with BAL was well tolerated with few complications even in 5 patients with thrombocytopenia and 10 patients requiring mechanical ventilation. Sixteen patients (22%) had an increase in temperature after the procedure without hypotension or sepsis and 1 patient (1.5%) had a moderate pulmonary hemorrhage after transbronchial biopsy. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy with BAL is a safe procedure with a high diagnostic yield in AIDS patient with lung disease.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1984

Severe bleomycin-induced pneumonitis. Clinical features and response to corticosteroids.

Ten (3 percent) of 287 patients receiving combination chemotherapy developed severe bleomycin-induced pneumonitis. The course and the response to therapy in these patients are summarized in this report. The dose of bleomycin received varied from 136 to 588 units, with toxic effects occurring in six patients who had received less than 200 units. Dyspnea and dry cough were the presenting symptoms in nine patients; one was asymptomatic. Roentgenograms were abnormal in nine cases, with five showing bilateral infiltrates. Four patients had asymmetric abnormalities, with radiographic involvement of only a single lung in two of these. Pulmonary function tests were abnormal, with a decreased diffusing capacity. Seven patients were treated with corticosteroid therapy, and significant clinical and radiographic improvement was noted; however, pulmonary function tests remained abnormal and could not be used to monitor the response. Prolonged therapy with corticosteroids was required over many months to maintain improvement. Tapering of the steroid dosage led to recurrence of clinical symptoms and radiographic infiltrates in five patients. Mortality was 60 percent, with three early deaths in untreated patients and three late deaths which occurred 12 to 15 months after diagnosis. In this study, patients with severe bleomycin-induced pneumonitis had symptomatic improvement and roentgenographic clearing following corticosteroid therapy.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1984

Bronchoalveolar lavage in the diagnosis of diffuse pulmonary infiltrates in the immunosuppressed host.

The usefulness of bronchoalveolar lavage in the diagnosis of pulmonary infiltrates in the immunosuppressed patient was studied in 97 patients. In immunosuppressed patients, the available diagnostic procedures are often invasive and have variable yield and a potential for serious complications. Bronchoalveolar lavage had an overall diagnostic yield of 66% (61 of 92 diseases). It was most effective in the diagnosis of opportunistic infections, including infection with Pneumocystis carinii (18 of 22 cases), cytomegalovirus pneumonia (10 of 12 cases), fungal pneumonia (5 of 6 cases), and mycobacterial disease (4 of 5 cases). The technique was also helpful in suspected pulmonary hemorrhage (7 of 9 cases) but was less useful for diagnosing malignancy (10 of 22 cases) and drug-induced toxicity (6 of 15 cases). Findings of bronchoalveolar lavage could be combined with those of transbronchial biopsies, brushings, and washings in the diagnosis of most of the diseases. The procedure was safe, even in thrombocytopenic patients and those requiring mechanical ventilatory support. Bronchoalveolar lavage is a valuable procedure for evaluation of pulmonary disease in the immunosuppressed host.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Chemotherapy-associated pulmonary toxic reactions during treatment for breast cancer.

Chemotherapy-related pneumonitis developed in eight patients during treatment for breast cancer. Six were receiving adjuvant therapy and two were being treated for metastatic disease. Fever, chills, dyspnea, and dry cough were the initial symptoms. Observations from chest roentgenograms varied from normal to bilateral interstitial-alveolar infiltrates. Results of pulmonary function tests were markedly abnormal, with a decreased diffusing capacity being the most characteristic abnormality. The pneumonitis developed in six patients while receiving 20 mg or less per day of prednisone and appeared temporarily related to tapering of steroid therapy in four patients. All patients recovered clinically, although prednisone therapy of 60 mg/day or its equivalent was required in three cases. Mild pulmonary function abnormalities persisted. Drug-induced pneumonitis should be considered in the differential diagnoses of patients with breast cancer in whom unexplained fever, dyspnea, or infiltrates develop during multidrug chemotherapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Phase II trial of neocarzinostatin in patients with bladder and prostatic cancer: toxicity of a five-day iv bolus schedule.

Neocarzinostatin (NCZ), a new antitumor antibiotic, was administered to 19 patients with bladder cancer, 16 patients with prostatic cancer, and 3 patients with hepatoma. All patients had objectively measurable metastatic lesions including 21 with palpable nodes or subcutaneous nodules, 10 with pulmonary nodules as demonstrated by chest x-ray, 4 with malignant hepatomegaly, and 3 with bidimensional pelvic masses as demonstrated by CT scanning. Sixty-five courses of NCZ were administered via an intravenous bolus daily for five days with dosages ranging from 1500 to 3000 U/m2. Immediate toxicity was not dose-limiting except for 1 episode of anaphylaxis and 1 of acute renal failure. Myelotoxicity was delayed, dose-dependent, noncumulative, and dose-limiting. Thrombocytopenia was prolonged or irreversible in 5 cases. The maximally tolerated dose was 2750 U/m2. One patient with NCZ-associated pulmonary fibrosis and 1 with biopsy-proven hepatitis are discussed in detail. Neocarzinostatin demonstrated minimal therapeutic activity (1 partial remission) in patients with bladder cancer. There was no response in patients with prostatic cancer or hepatoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Response to corticosteroids in chronic bronchitis.

Corticosteroid drugs are often employed in the treatment of patients with chronic bronchitis. Although some patients respond favorably to such therapy, the characteristics of such patients are not known. Twenty-four patients with chronic bronchitis were treated with prednisone 30 mg daily or placebo for one week each in a double-blind crossover study. The following were monitored before and after each treatment period: physical examination, symptoms, peripheral blood eosinophil count, sputum cell exmination, forced vital capacity (FVC), before and after isoproterenol aerosol. Seven of 24 patients had an FEV1 increase greater than 30% of the control value on prednisone but not on placebo. Blood eosinophil count was elevated (greater than or equal to 350/mm(3)) in 7 patients; 2 of these 7 improved on steroid. Sputum cell examination revealed preponderance of eosinophils in 1, and occasional clumps of eosinophils in 8. Seven of these 9 responded to steroid. Sputum but not blood eosinophilia is a good predictor of a favorable response to steroid therapy.

Aged↗