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Biomedical subjects

D Feigl

Publications and source records attributed to D Feigl.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[In vitro and in vivo studies with interleukin 2 (IL-2) and various immunostimulants in a patient with AIDS].

We report on a lethal course of an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in a young female patient. She had spent her vacancies six years before diagnosis in Haiti, where a sexual intercourse with a Haitian man had occurred. Leading clinical symptoms consisted of recurrent Herpes simplex infections of the genital and perianal region as well as unexplained high temperatures. There were some typical laboratory and immunologic features of this disease with leukopenia, hypergammaglobulinemia, cutaneous anergy, a reduction of peripheral T-lymphocytes (OKT 3) and an almost complete loss of OKT 4 (helper cells) positive lymphocytes. The mitogenic response upon stimulation with allogeneic cells (MLC) or with the mitogens PHA, Con A and PWM was significantly reduced. There was no measurable interleukin-2 (IL-2) secretion of peripheral blood lymphocytes. Several immunostimulators (thymopentin, inosiplex, bestatin) were tested in lymphocyte proliferation assays in vitro. The mitogenic response could not be enhanced by neither of these substances. A clinical trial with Delimmun (inosiplex) for 14 days did not show any clinical or immunologic improvement in this patient. The intravenous application of high dose immunoglobulin G was without any observable effect. The proliferation inducing capacity of a highly purified IL-2 preparation on the AIDS cells in vitro led us to a clinical trial with this substance. We applied 100 Bödeker units of IL-2 per kg body weight and day subcutaneously for 16 days. A therapeutical effect, however, could not be observed. Cell marker analyses did not show significant changes in lymphocyte subpopulation composition under IL-2 therapy. There was an increase in the spontaneous cell proliferation 14 days after start of IL-2 therapy. The PHA- and IL-2 response of the AIDS cells, however, was unchanged. It cannot be excluded that an administration of IL-2 in earlier stages of AIDS may have beneficial effects.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Early and late atrioventricular block in acute inferior myocardial infarction.

In a group of 288 patients with acute inferior (diaphragmatic) myocardial infarction, second and third degree atrioventricular (AV) block was diagnosed in 37 (14%). Three of the 37 died. The AV block in the 34 survivors could be differentiated into two distinct types, namely, early and late AV block. In 15 patients, second and third degree AV block developed within 6 hours of the first signs of infarction. In these 15 patients, all signs of AV block disappeared within 24 hours after infarction. Second and third degree AV block appeared suddenly in the vast majority, and first degree AV block could be detected in only a few patients and for a very short time before normalization of conduction. Atropine either abolished AV block completely or caused a marked acceleration of ventricular escape rhythm. In 14 patients, second and third degree AV block developed later than 6 hours (in 12 later than 24 hours) after infarction. It was heralded and followed by relatively long periods of first degree AV block in all cases (except in two patients who were admitted 72 hours after infarction). The total duration of AV block was longer than 40 hours in all of these patients, and the ventricular rate was relatively high. In no patient was abolishment of AV block achieved by atropine, and ventricular acceleration was relatively slight in all. In five patients, early and late AV block could be recognized consecutively. The two types of AV block seem to have different causes. Increased vagal tone is probably operative in the first type, and metabolic changes due to ischemia in the second. Response to atropine and sympathomimetic drugs is much better, and cardiac pacing only rarely indicated, in patients with early than in those with late AV block.

Aged↗

Gorham's disease of the clavicle with bilateral pleural effusions.

A patient with Gorham's disease (massive osteolysis, disappearing bone disease) of the right clavicle had bilateral sanguinous pleural effusions. Complete cure was achieved by removal of the bony remnants with the hemangiomatous mass which caused bone destruction, and by obliteration of the pleural spaces using repeated talcum insertion. In six out of seven previously described cases of Gorham's disease with pleural effusions, the patients died, while the only survivor had a unilateral chylous effusion.

Adult↗

Supravalvular aortic and peripheral pulmonary arterial stenoses. A report of eight cases in two generations.

Peripheral pulmonary arterial stenosis, either alone or in combination with supravalvular aortic stenosis, is described in two generations of one family. The last child born in the first generation ws the only fatal case and showed severe narrowing and thrombosis of the pulmonary arteries and significant narrowing of the descending aorta. Physical and mental development were normal in the seven surviving patients. Five had slight dyspnea on effort. Hemodynamic and angiocardiogrphic studies showed multiple peripheral pulmonary stenosis in six patients and supravalvular aortic stenosis or aortic hypoplasia in the last three of the first generation and in one of the second generation. The younger children were more severely affected. A marked systolodiastolic caliber variation of the main pulmonary arteries was noted angiographically in all those studied. We suggest that this finding can be used as an indirect sign of the presence of peripheral pulmonary arterial stenosis.

Aortic Valve Stenosis↗

Electrocardiographic observations on the termination of supraventricular tachycardia by verapamil.

The effect of intravenous verapamil on the termination of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) was studied by continuous electrocardiographic monitoring of 27 episodes of SVT. Progressive increase of the cycle length heralded conversion in eight episodes while cycle-length alternation preceded cessation of the arrhythmia in 13 episodes. In five patients the arrhythmia was either stopped or closely followed by a ventricular premature beat (VPB), followed by further VPBs in three. Runs of bizarre ventricular tachycardia followed initial sinus-beats in two patients. Sinus standstill, lasting 30 seconds, was observed in one patient. The first post SVT beats had an aberrant QRS configuration with a normal P-R interval in four cases and an aberrant QRS complex with a short P-R interval, resembling Wolff-Parkinson-White complexes, in a further seven patients. The possible mechanisms causing this variability of pre- and post-conversion period are discussed. It is suggested that some aspects of verapamil action may be explained by a parasympaticomimetic effect on the myocardium.

Adult↗

Regression of amyloidosis secondary to granulomatous ileitis following surgical resection and colchicine administration.

A patient with nephrotic syndrome was found to have amyloidosis secondary to an otherwise asymptomatic Crohn's disease. Resection of a major portion of the affected bowel and long-term colchicine therapy were followed by a complete clinical remission of the nephrotic syndrome, most probably due to a significant resolution of amyloidosis. The combination of resection of affected bowel segments, together with long-term colchicine therapy may offer a better prognosis than either method alone.

Adult↗

Congenital atrial flutter.

Two cases of congenital atrial flutter, one of which was documented electrocardiographically before birth, are reported. In both patients sinus rhythm was restored with digoxin treatment; in one patient the transition was preceded by various arrhythmias. No cardiac malformation was found in either case, and no materal disease occurred during pregnancy. Both mothers had received medication during pregnancy, but its role as a causative factor is questionable.

Atrial Flutter↗