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Biomedical subjects

D H Watts

Publications and source records attributed to D H Watts.

48 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

C-reactive protein in normal pregnancy.

Maternal serum C-reactive protein (CRP) has been studied extensively as an adjunct in the diagnosis of subclinical infection among pregnant women with preterm labor or preterm rupture of membranes. However, before the utility of CRP can be studied in pregnancies with these complications, the effects of normal pregnancy and labor on maternal serum CRP levels must be established. We determined CRP levels serially from 22 weeks' gestation until delivery in healthy pregnant women without antepartum complications. Median CRP values for women not in labor ranged from 0.7-0.9 mg/dL, depending on gestational age; 95% of the values were 1.5 mg/dL or lower. No consistent change in CRP levels with gestational age was found among serially sampled women not in labor. The median CRP value for women in labor at term was 1.3 mg/dL, and 32% of values were over 1.5 mg/dL. Median CRP values in normal pregnancies appear to be higher than standardized values for nonpregnant individuals, and CRP values are further elevated in labor. Understanding the physiology and temporal course of the increase in CRP in normal pregnancy and labor may help to clarify the appropriate use of CRP in complicated pregnancies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Upper genital tract isolates at delivery as predictors of post-cesarean infections among women receiving antibiotic prophylaxis.

The introduction of antibiotic prophylaxis for cesarean delivery has decreased the risk of postpartum endometritis and wound infection, but factors that contribute to prophylaxis failure are not understood. To determine factors that might contribute to postpartum infections following antibiotic prophylaxis, we cultured amniotic fluid, decidua, and chorioamniotic membrane specimens for anaerobic and facultative bacteria and for genital mycoplasmas at cesarean delivery. Women were assessed daily for the development of infections, and if endometritis developed, a protected endometrial culture was obtained. Postpartum endometritis developed in 16 and wound infection in four of 102 women. Infection rates were similar for women receiving cefotetan (N = 50) or cefoxitin (N = 52) for prophylaxis. The isolation of group B streptococcus (P less than .001) or Enterococcus faecalis (P = .03) from the upper genital tract at delivery was significantly associated with postpartum endometritis. Antibiotic-resistant organisms (other than enterococci) were recovered uncommonly at delivery or with postpartum infections. Group B streptococcus was susceptible to the prophylactic agents used, suggesting that virulence factors other than antibiotic resistance are important for the development of postpartum endometritis. Group B streptococcus, E faecalis, and bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis were recovered from the endometrium at the time of postpartum endometritis.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed1990

Antiviral therapy in pregnancy.

Though the reported experience with zidovudine in human pregnancies is very limited, it would seem unreasonable at this time to withhold zidovudine therapy for fetal considerations in the treatment of pregnant women with AIDS and ARC. Whether the treatment of HIV-positive women with zidovudine at any time during pregnancy reduces the risk of perinatal transmission is unknown. Therefore, the use of zidovudine for that indication should await the results of controlled trials. At present, if zidovudine therapy is required during pregnancy, the standard dosage of 200 mg every 4 hours should be used. The woman and her fetus should be monitored carefully for signs of toxicity.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

Etiology and treatment of post-cesarean-section endometritis after cephalosporin prophylaxis.

To describe the microbiologic etiology of post-cesarean endometritis developing after perioperative cephalosporin prophylaxis, endometrial samples were obtained from 27 women with a triple-lumen catheter. The women were assigned in a double-blind, randomized fashion to receive either ticarcillin/clavulanate, 3.1 g, or cefoxitin, 2 g, administered every six hours, until the clinical signs of infection resolved. A total of 149 microorganisms (84 facultative and 65 obligate anaerobes) were recovered from 26 women, for a mean of 5.5 isolates per specimen. One endometrial specimen was sterile. Bacteroides and Peptostreptococcus species were the most frequent isolates, followed by Gardnerella vaginalis, Enterococcus, facultative gram-negative rods and Mycoplasma hominis. Each of the isolates was tested for beta-lactamase activity. At least one beta-lactamase-producing isolate was recovered from 56% of the specimens. Susceptibility testing of endometrial isolates demonstrated that 96% of 118 potential pathogens (Gardnerella, Bacteroides, Peptostreptococcus, enterococci and streptococci) were susceptible to ticarcillin/clavulanate. By comparison, 86% of these isolates were susceptible to cefoxitin in vitro. Women who were treated with ticarcillin/clavulanate were less likely to have a temperature greater than 38 degrees C for two or more days (8% vs. 57%, P = .01). Also, there was a trend toward a decreased duration of uterine tenderness in the ticarcillin/clavulanate group, but it did not attain statistical significance (60% vs. 86%, P = .4). However, the overall clinical success rate with these single-agent treatments was not different for the two groups (77% vs. 79%, P = 1.0).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed1990

Bacterial vaginosis as a risk factor for post-cesarean endometritis.

Bacterial species associated with bacterial vaginosis have been isolated more frequently from endometrial cultures of patients with postpartum endometritis than expected from the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis among pregnant women. To further assess the association between bacterial vaginosis and postpartum endometritis, vaginal Gram smears were obtained from women admitted for delivery. Vaginal smears of women delivered by cesarean were scored as normal or as indicating bacterial vaginosis. Factors related independently to postpartum endometritis by multiple logistic regression analysis included maternal age less than 25 years, any duration of membrane rupture, and bacterial vaginosis. The unadjusted odds ratio for the development of postpartum endometritis associated with bacterial vaginosis (odds ratio = 6.1, 95% confidence interval 3.3-15.9) was not appreciably changed in the multivariable analysis (odds ratio = 5.8, 95% confidence interval 3.0-10.9) after adjusting for maternal age, duration of labor, and duration of membrane rupture. At the time of endometritis, Bacteroides sp, Peptostreptococcus sp, and Gardnerella vaginalis were isolated more frequently from the endometrium using a triple lumen endometrial sampling method among patients with bacterial vaginosis than among those with a normal Gram stain. Bacterial vaginosis appears to be an important risk factor for postpartum endometritis after cesarean delivery.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Microbiologic efficacy of intravaginal clindamycin cream for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis.

Bacterial vaginosis is characterized by replacement of the normal Lactobacillus-predominant vaginal flora with Gardnerella vaginalis, anaerobic bacteria, and Mycoplasma hominis. The present study evaluated the vaginal flora of women with bacterial vaginosis before and after treatment with intravaginal clindamycin cream. Sixty-seven nonpregnant women with symptoms and signs of bacterial vaginosis, and without other genital tract infections, were randomly assigned to receive placebo cream or 0.1, 1, or 2% clindamycin cream. Quantitative vaginal cultures for facultative and anaerobic bacteria and genital mycoplasmas were performed at enrollment and at 4-7 days and 4-5 weeks after completion of therapy. At enrollment, G vaginalis was recovered from 99%, Bacteroides sp from 94%, Peptostreptococcus sp from 81%, and M hominis from 58% of the 67 women with bacterial vaginosis. The vaginal cultures yielded a median of 12 isolates per specimen, with equal numbers of aerobic and anaerobic species. The mean log concentration was 1.2 X 10(9) cfu/mL for aerobic and 2.6 X 10(8) cfu/mL for anaerobic bacteria. After treatment, the frequency and concentration of bacteria per milliliter of vaginal fluid decreased for G vaginalis, Bacteroides sp, Peptostreptococcus sp, and M hominis. The 2% clindamycin cream had the greatest effect on the bacterial vaginosis-associated flora and resulted in clinical resolution of bacterial vaginosis in 15 (94%) of 16 women. Treatment with lower concentrations of clindamycin cream had less effect on the vaginal flora and resulted in clinical cure in 25 (71%) of 35 women. Therapy was associated with an increase in the frequency and concentration of Lactobacillus, and a probably transient increase in the frequency of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Intravaginal↗
PubMed1989

Measurement of cardiac output in pregnancy by thermodilution and impedance techniques.

To assess the value of impedance cardiography in pregnancy, simultaneous measurements of cardiac output were made with impedance and thermodilution techniques in 10 patients who required pulmonary artery catheterization. The methods correlated poorly (r = 0.17). The discrepancy between methods was particularly pronounced in hypertensive patients. Impedance cardiography does not measure cardiac output accurately in hypertensive pregnant women.

Cardiac Output↗
PubMed1989

Early postpartum endometritis: the role of bacteria, genital mycoplasmas, and Chlamydia trachomatis.

To characterize the flora of early postpartum endometritis and the clinical features of women with specific organisms, endometrial cultures for facultative and anaerobic bacteria, genital mycoplasmas, and Chlamydia trachomatis were taken with a triple-lumen sampling device. More than one organism was recovered from 80% of the women. Over 60% of the women had Gardnerella vaginalis and/or anaerobes associated with bacterial vaginosis isolated from the endometrium; these women were more likely to have severe illness and to develop a wound infection than were other women. Genital mycoplasmas were isolated frequently, but specific antibiotic therapy was not required for clinical cure in the 10% of patients who had Ureaplasma urealyticum only. Chlamydia trachomatis was infrequently isolated, but C trachomatis commonly remained after therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Intraperitoneal fetal transfusion under direct ultrasound guidance.

The outcomes of 77 fetal intraperitoneal transfusions in 35 pregnancies managed with direct ultrasound guidance and intensive perinatal management were reviewed. Patients were monitored with amniocentesis, and standard indications were used for timing of transfusions. The mean gestational age at first transfusion was 27.3 weeks (range 22-33). The overall mortality rate was 14% (five of 35). No immediate transfusion-related deaths occurred; all fetuses who were not hydropic at first transfusion survived (26 of 26). The mean gestational age at delivery was 33.6 weeks (range 25-36). One infant developed respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Transfusion-related complications occurred in five cases (fetal colon infusions in two, fetal retroperitoneal infusion in two, and fetal abdominal wall hematoma in one). None of these infants required urgent delivery or suffered long-term sequelae. In nonhydropic fetuses, intraperitoneal transfusions under direct ultrasound guidance had a low incidence of morbidity and no mortality. These results should provide baseline data against which to compare new techniques, such as direct cord transfusion. With neonatal mortality rates of 10% and significant morbidity rates of 10-20% in infants delivered at 32 weeks who develop RDS, intraperitoneal transfusion should be considered in the 32- to 33-week fetus with marked pulmonary immaturity.

Amniocentesis↗
PubMed1987

Sexually transmitted diseases in pregnancy.

Sexually transmitted diseases may have a significant impact on the pregnant woman and her fetus and neonate. Infection at various stages of pregnancy may result in severe maternal disease, congenital defects, premature delivery, or neonatal infection. The clinician caring for pregnant women must be aware of the multitude of sexually transmitted diseases and their potential risks during pregnancy.

Female↗
PubMed1987

Measurement of cardiac output during pregnancy: validation of Doppler technique and clinical observations in preeclampsia.

In 12 patients requiring pulmonary artery catheterization, cardiac output was measured using Doppler and thermodilution techniques. The Doppler technique accurately predicted measurements made by thermodilution (r = 0.91; P less than .001). Eighteen normal patients in the third trimester and 36 preeclamptics who had not been treated with medications other than magnesium sulfate were evaluated with Doppler alone. Of note was the heterogeneity among preeclamptics. Although their mean systemic vascular resistance was elevated, it ranged from 2256-648 dyne X sec X cm-5. Cardiac output ranged from 13.2-3.9 L/minute.

Blood Pressure↗