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Biomedical subjects

D Vuković

Publications and source records attributed to D Vuković.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Staphylococcus sciuri: an unusual cause of pelvic inflammatory disease.

We present the case of polymicrobial pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) that involved Staphylococcus sciuri, S. epidermidis, and Streptococcus agalactiae. In order to determine the frequency of S. sciuri isolation from the female lower genital tract, 3415 vaginal samples were analysed during the one-year study period. S. sciuri was isolated from three (0.09%) samples. In all the three cases, S. sciuri was obtained in mixed culture from outpatients without symptoms of infection. While the origin of S. sciuri in the female genital tract remains to be elucidated, the present study showed that this bacterium may colonize vagina and, moreover, may be involved in the pathogenesis of an infection as serious as PID. The low rate of isolation we established, however, indicates infrequent and, most probably, transient colonization of the female genital tract by S. sciuri.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Influence of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) on biofilm production by Candida species.

Candida spp. are important causative agents of infections associated with biofilm formation. Management of biofilm-related infections is extremely difficult and therefore new therapeutic solutions are needed. This study for the first time explored the possible effect of aspirin on Candida spp. Biofilm-producing capacity. Two strains of C. guilliermondii, and one strain per species of C. kefyr, C. glabrata, C. albicans, and C. parapsilosis were included in the study. The antifungal property of aspirin was tested by the broth microdilution method, while effect of aspirin on biofilm formation was determined by the microtiter-plate test. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of aspirin obtained ranged from 2.17 to 8.67 mM and minimal fungicidal concentrations were from 4.33 to 8.67 mM. The concentrations of aspirin which induced statistically significant decrease in biofilm formation ranged from 0.43 mM to 1.73 mM of aspirin, depending on the tested yeast strain. Therefore, the significant effects of aspirin on growth and biofilm formation of Candida spp. were achieved only with suprapharmacological concentrations of the drug. The influence of the inoculum size on the effect of aspirin on biofilm formation was determined for C. albicans only and a significant decrease was observed also at suprapharmacological concentrations of aspirin, irrespective of the inoculum size. The results obtained in the present study show aspirin to be a drug with the potential to affect and suppress biofilm formation by Candida spp., and provide support for further investigation.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMed2002

Ground red hot pepper agar in the isolation and presumptive identification of Cryptococcus neoformans.

The study compared ground red hot pepper agar (GRHP) and Guizotia abyssinica creatinine agar (GACA), a medium routinely used for isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans. In order to confirm the capacity of GRHP to support the Cr. neoformans growth and pigment production, 15 strains were inoculated onto GRHP and GACA. No significant differences in the growth and pigmentation of the tested strains on the two media were noted. As heavily contaminated specimens, 50 samples of pigeon droppings were examined by plating on GRHP and GACA, which resulted in the isolation of 14 and nine Cr. neoformans strains, respectively. The results indicate that GRHP, as a result of its superior selectivity and significant reduction of contaminant growth, provides better conditions than GACA for isolation and presumptive identification of Cr. neoformans from heavily contaminated specimens.

Agar↗
PubMed2001

Staphylococcus sciuri as a part of skin, nasal and oral flora in healthy dogs.

The coagulase-negative species Staphylococcus sciuri is widespread in nature and is associated with a variety of domestic and wild animals. However, the occurrence of S. sciuri in dogs has received little attention so far. In the present study, we established the prevalence of S. sciuri in a large population of healthy dogs, and characterized isolated strains. Samples from two mucous membrane sites (anterior nares and mouth), and two hair-coated sites (head and withers) were taken from 122 dogs and inoculated into STS agar, a novel selective medium that was introduced and tested in the study. In total, 116 isolates of S. sciuri were obtained from 488 specimens. S. sciuri was isolated from 56 out of 122 (46%) dogs. The occurrence of S. sciuri in the anterior nares and mouth were significantly higher than those in withers and head. No significant association of S. sciuri occurrence in dogs and factors such as sex, age, and living environment (indoor/outdoor) was found. Out of 56 dogs, which tested positive for S. sciuri, 30 (54%) would have it as a resident flora. Thus, we showed that S. sciuri was frequently present as a part of skin, nasal and oral flora in healthy dogs both as a resident and transient carriage.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Influence of dynamic conditions on biofilm formation by staphylococci.

The modified microtiter plate test was used to investigate biofilm formation by staphylococci under both static and dynamic conditions. The quantity of biofilm produced under static conditions was used as a reference. Dynamic conditions, which were achieved by incubating microtiter plates on a horizontal shaker with and without the presence of glass beads in wells, either reduced biofilm formation or left it unchanged. Dynamic conditions particularly affected the capacity of certain species to produce biofilm: these species included the causative agents of infections associated with a foreign body (Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus). On the basis of these results, dynamic conditions should be included as a parameter for evaluating biofilm formation by staphylococci in vitro.

Biofilms↗
PubMed2001

Terminal ballistics of the Russian AK 74 assault rifle: two wounded patients and experimental findings.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of the Russian AK 74 assault rifle missile (5.45 x 39 mm) on an experimental model and on two wounded patients. DESIGN: Experimental and clinical study. SETTING: Brodarski Institute, Marine Research and Special Technologies, Zagreb, Croatia, and General Hospital, Karlovac, Karlovac, Croatia. MATERIALS AND PATIENTS: Twenty gelatin blocks used as tissue stimulants and two patients with gunshot wounds caused by AK 74 assault rifle missiles. INTERVENTIONS: After being fired at, gelatin blocks were filmed with a high-speed television camera and radiographs were made of the blocks. Wounds of our patients were treated with minimal excision and drainage. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The correlation between the wound profile method and our experimental model, and the correlation between the wound profile method and the wounds of the patients we treated. RESULTS: Bullets were not found to deform or fragment in tissue stimulant. The bullet path through the gelatin block was found to differ from the path predicted according to the wound profile method. CONCLUSION: Gelatin disruption in the initial 8 to 11 cm of the bullet path is minimal. Even the highest-velocity military missiles, like the AK 74 5.45 x 39 mm bullet, may cause only minimal tissue disruption in this initial part of tissue penetration.

Firearms↗
PubMed2000

Staphylococcus sciuri: recommendation for simple identification.

We report the isolation of Staphylococcus sciuri, primarily animal species, from samples taken from hospitalised patients. Considering that Staphylococcus sciuri often remains unrecognised in routine laboratory practice, we propose the criteria for simple identification of this bacterium.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗
PubMed1998

Ground red hot pepper agar in the isolation of yeasts of Candida spp.

The purpose of this study was to investigate and determine the value of a novel, simple and inexpensive selective medium for isolation of yeasts of Candida spp. - ground red hot pepper agar (GRHP). The study compared GRHP and Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA), an insufficiently selective medium routinely used for primary isolation of yeasts. The comparison was based on qualitative and quantitative characterisation of growth of 25 bacterial strains, measurement of growth of 22 yeast strains and testing on clinical specimens. Qualitative tests on bacteria showed either significantly less growth on GRHP than on SDA, or no growth on GRHP. Quantitative tests confirmed these results; the number of colonies of all tested bacterial species and strains on GRHP was significantly lower than on SDA. With regard to the isolation of Candida spp., GRHP had the same properties as SDA. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences in the growth of Candida spp. and strains on the two media. All these results were confirmed by tests on clinical material. The results clearly show that GRHP agar is an economical medium for the isolation of yeasts of Candida spp., with excellent selectivity.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1998

Infection with Helicobacter pylori and long-term use of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs.

The use of nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAID) is associated with an increased risk of peptic ulcer and of ulcer complications. However, the relation between Helicobacter pylori infection and gastroduodenal damage associated with NSAID use is unclear. This study investigated the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with arthritis (n = 85) taking NSAID, trying to find out whether the patients taking NSAID and infected with H. pylori were more likely to have dyspepsia, mucosal damage or chronic active gastritis than those without H. pylori infection. H. pylori was identified by biopsy, rapid urease test and histologic test. Dispeptic symptoms were assessed according to a standardized questionnaire. Gastroduodenal mucosal damage was graded endoscopically (using a modified Lanza scale) and the diagnosis of chronic gastritis was based on the histologic criteria of the Sydney system. The frequency of H. pylori infection was found to increase with age. No statistically significant difference was observed in the presence of damage to gastroduodenal mucosa between the patients with and without H. pylori infection. H. pylori infection was found to be associated with an increased frequency and severity of dyspeptic symptoms in patients with arthritis taking long-term NSAID. Chronic active gastritis was only present in patients with H. pylori infection. H. pylori infection was shown to be associated with an increased frequency and severity of dyspeptic symptoms in patients with arthritis on long-term NSAID therapy, without causing an increased damage to gastroduodenal mucosa.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Another therapeutic schedule in eradication of Helicobacter pylori.

In this study, the efficacy and tolerability of two different therapeutic schedules in eradicating Helicobacter pylori and healing duodenal ulcer were evaluated. The study included 60 patients with duodenal ulcer and Helicobacter pylori infection. They were randomly allocated to either of two groups: group 1 (N = 30) received omeprazole 20 mg for 28 days, amoxicillin 3 x 500 mg for 7 days and metronidazole 3 x 500 mg for 5 days, and group 2 (N = 30) received omeprazole 20 mg for 28 days, ACA (amoxicillin 500 mg plus clavulanic acid 125 mg) 3 x 625 mg for 7 days and metronidazole 3 x 500 mg for 5 days. Endoscopic examination, bioptic urease test and histologic examination were performed before, and 30 and 90 days after the treatment. Endoscopic examination was also performed one month after the beginning of the treatment, when healing of duodenal ulcer was observed in 90% (27/30) of the group 1 patients and in 93.3% (28/30) of the group 2 patients. The Helicobacter pylori eradication achieved in group 1 and 2 was 76.7% (23/30) and 83.3% (25/30), respectively. Side effects were present in 20% (6/30) of the group 1 patients and in 23.3% (7/30) of the group 2 patients. Side effects were mild and did not require interruption of the treatment. A higher rate of eradication was achieved in group 2 than in group 1, but the difference was not statistically significant.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Omeprazole and azithromycin with and without metronidazole in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori in duodenal ulcer disease].

This prospective, single blind, randomized study was designed to compare the efficacy and tolerance of two therapeutic schedules for eradication of H. pylori in patients with duodenal ulcer. Patients were randomized into two groups. Group 1 (n = 25) was treated with omeprazole 20 mg each morning for 28 days, azithromycin 500 mg/day for 5 days and metronidazole 3 x 500 mg/day for 5 days. Group 2 (n = 25) was treated with omeprazole 20 mg/day for 28 days and azithromycin 500 mg/day for 5 days. H. pylori status was determined by rapid urease test and histology before and 1, 6 and 12 months after the therapy. After 4 weeks of treatment ulcers healed in 96% (24/25) of patients in the first group and in 92% (23/25) of patients in the second group. One and 12 months after the treatment, eradication of Helicobacter pylori was achieved in 72% (18/25) of patients in the first group and in 64% (16/25) of patients in the second group. In 12 months after the treatment ulcer recurred in 43.7% (7/16) of patients in whom H. pylori was not eradicated and in 2.9% (1/34) of patients with eradicated H. pylori. The side effects were minor and/or transitory and did not require discontinuation of the treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Effects of age-targeted treatment of intestinal parasite infections in Serbia.

A survey of intestinal parasite infections in school-children throughout Serbia revealed an area of endemic infection where 31% of the children examined were found to be infected with Giardia lamblia, Enterobius vermicularis, Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura. All infected children were treated with metronidazole for giardiasis and mebendazole for helminthic infections. A post-chemotherapy survey was performed 3 months later to assess the efficacy of treatment, showing a decrease in the prevalence of all species, thus indicating drug efficacy of 66-100%. A second survey, performed 13 months after chemotherapy to assess the rates of reinfection, showed that only Ascaris lumbricoides prevalence returned to the pre-treatment level. The results of this field study prove chemotherapy to be an important tool in the control of intestinal parasite infections.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1991

[Growth, body weight and the yearly increase in height in children and adolescents in Novi Sad].

The paper presents a graphical account of the growth and nutritional status out of anthropometric values which were attained by means of a longitudinal study on Novi Sad children. The paper states the advantages which these graphical accounts provide through a quick, simple and exact evaluation of the growth and the nutritional status of children and young people from the second to the 18th year of age. The paper also gives nomograms of the annual height increase separately according to sexes. The average height of the eighteen-year old population (boys 179.8 and girls 166.5 cm) in our surroundings is among the highest in Europe. By comparing the named average height values with those of fifteen years ago we observe a positive difference in favor of today's young generation, this being 2.3 cm in boys and 2.0 cm in girls. The value of the T coefficient is 3.66 in boys and 3.7 in girls which means that the differences are very significant at the level of 1%.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[The importance of blood glucose determination in self-monitoring of juvenile diabetes].

In diabetes there is a presence of a severely impaired energetic-metabolic, hormonally influenced, homeostasis; the functioning of the delicate, fine and useful metabolism adjustment on the feedback principal, which means a controlled use of energy for the present and the future, stops. The insulin which is given to diabetes patients subcutaneously has lost this homeostatic feedback feature, in regard to this "elasticity", and brutally intrudes, in other words, dictates the energetic homeostasis, at which insulin excess leads to a deficit of counter-insulin hormones in the blood (which is followed by hypoglycemia) and an insulin deficit leads to their excess (followed by hyperglycemia). Long-term oscillations of glycemias outside the accepted limits (4.5 to 11 mmol/l) are fatal to the diabetes patient-the risk of micro and macro-angiopathies. In the aim of the best possible harmonization of the type and dose of insulin, the interval between injection and meal, the extent of the meal and the level of physical activity in diabetes patients which are being treated with insulin, blood sugar should be determined at the critical points (1 hour before and 1 hr after the three main meals, as well as during the night at about 3 a.m.), and at representative days (at least two times a week). Today, only this form of control, self-monitoring, provides a continuous appropriate glycemia value, and with that a metabolic control which will enable the diabetes patient to be "conditionally healthy" and thus delay es as late as possible or/and prevent the appearance of blood vessel secondary chang.

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed1990

[The McCune-Albright syndrome with hyperthyroidism, acromegaly and hypophosphatemic-hyperphosphaturic rickets].

A girl was described with an unusual combination of McCune-Albright's syndrome (polyostotic fibrotic dysplasia, hyperpigmentations on the skin and precocious puberty) with hyperthyroidism, hypophosphatemic-hyperphosphaturic rickets and acromegaly. Although the pathogenetic mechanism involved in the development of this endocrinopathy in this syndrome is not quite clear, the achieved results, as well as data of other researchers, suggest that the endocrinological disorders in this syndrome are the result of either an increased sensitivity of periphery endocrine organs or/and of an autonomous hyperfunction (similar to multiple endocrine adenomatosis).

Acromegaly↗
PubMed1990

[Hypoglycemia in childhood. I. Physiology, pathophysiology and the classification of hypoglycemia].

Regardless of age and body mass, hypoglycemia is defined as the glycemia value below 2.6 mmol/l. This is the borderline glycemia value, below which the suffering begins which directly endangers the CNS development in the newborn period. The fact that we registered hypoglycemias in 2/3 of premature infants and in 3/4 of low birth weight infants at registration on the ward for premature infants at the Institute for Mother and Child Health Protection, in the course of 1988, tells of the complexity and seriousness of the situation with which we meet during the depopulation of the inhabitants. The paper gives physiological basics for the understanding of glucose homeostasis in the organism, as the most frequent forms of hypoglycemia with which the physician meets in practice. A diagnosing and hypoglycemia treatment algorithm is given.

Child↗
PubMed1990

[Hypoglycemia in childhood. II. Clinical aspects and therapy of hypoglycemia in childhood].

Regardless of age and body weight, hypoglycemia is defined as the glycemia value below 2.6 mmol/l. This is the borderline glycemia value, below which the suffering begins which directly endangers the CNS development in the newborn period. The fact that we registered hypoglycemias in 2/3 of premature infants and in 3/4 of low birth weight infants at registration on the ward for premature infants at the Institute for Mother and Child Health Protection, in the course of 1988, tells of the complexity and seriousness of the situation with which we meet during the depopulation of the inhabitants. The paper gives physiological basics for the understanding of glycose homeostasis in the organism, as the most frequent forms of hypoglycemia with which the physician meets in practice. A diagnosing and hypoglycemia treatment algorithm is given.

Child↗