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Biomedical subjects

E Held

Publications and source records attributed to E Held.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

[Acute aortic insufficiency following endocarditis due to infection with Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus].

A 50-year-old male alcoholic addict, examined because of diarrhoea with fever was found to have Campylobacter jejuni in blood and stool cultures. After administration of broad-spectrum penicillin all acute symptoms disappeared but he lost 8 kg within 3 months and his general state health gradually deteriorated. After 3 months he suddenly developed leg oedema, dyspnoea and bouts of fever up to 38.8 degrees C. A loud cardiac murmur was now heard. Echocardiography demonstrated vegetations on the regurgitant aortic valve. Endocarditis being suspected he was at first treated with penicillin G (15 mega IU/d) and gentamycin (160 mg/d). The fever regressed, but after 8 days the blood culture grew Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus. Antibiotic treatment was switched to imipenem, twice daily 500 mg, in accordance with sensitivity test results. Further blood cultures were sterile. Despite this the cardiac status deteriorated, the aortic regurgitation reaching grade IV. The valve was replaced with a bioprosthesis and the patient quickly improved postoperatively. Antibiotic treatment was stopped and the cardiovascular status became normal. The patient has now been free of symptoms and recurrence for 7 months.

Acute Disease↗

[Fasciola hepatic infection in a family: diagnosis and therapy].

A 39-year-old man was hospitalized because of a 5-week history of feeling very ill, with fever up to 39 degrees C and nonspecific upper abdominal pain. He looked very pale and his spleen was painful on palpation. There was a blood eosinophilia of over 50% and computed tomography demonstrated hypodense areas in the liver, suggesting a parasitic infection with liver involvement. An ELISA factor of over 100 and the finding of liver fluke eggs in bile confirmed the diagnosis of Fasciola hepatica infection, which was probably acquired by eating wild watercress when visiting in the Allgäu. A fasciola infection was also proven in his 37-year-old sister who for some time had complained of colicky right-sided upper abdominal pain, her 40-year-old husband with similar symptoms and their 10-year-old daughter. All four were successfully treated for two days with 10 mg/kg triclabendazole daily by mouth. Persons eating raw vegetables and salads of wild-growing plants are at risk of being infected with Fasciola hepatica.

Adult↗

Removal of beta 2-microglobulin by hemodialysis and hemofiltration: a four year follow up.

Efficient removal of total body burden beta 2-Microglobulin (beta 2-M) in uremia is a continuing challenge, as dialysis-related amyloidosis represents a major complication of chronic renal replacement therapy. To investigate long-term beta 2-M removal we studied 3 groups of stable end-staged renal failure patients over a period of 4 years; we compared low flux (cuprophane) hemodialysis (n = 12), high flux (polysulfone) hemodialysis (n = 12) and hemofiltration using high flux polysulfone (n = 8). In contrast to the cuprophane membrane, the polysulfone membrane eliminated considerable amounts of beta 2-M. This was associated with a sustained reduction of predialysis serum beta 2-M-levels (by 20%). Compared with high flux hemodialysis, hemofiltration provided a 50% higher elimination of beta 2-M. Thus, our long-term evaluation of beta 2-M removal suggests that hemofiltration rather than hemodialysis may be the treatment of choice for delaying the incidence of dialysis-related amyloidosis.

Adult↗

Vascular deposition of complement-split products in kidney allografts with cell-mediated rejection.

Complement activation in 73 renal transplant biopsies was investigated by indirect immunoperoxidase staining using MoAbs reactive with complement-split products. Intense deposition of complement fragments C4d and C3d in peritubular capillaries, indicating activation of the classical pathway, could be detected in the majority of transplanted kidneys with cell-mediated rejections. Abundant deposition of complement-split products was observed in 22 early biopsies from patients with high 'immunological risk' (i.e. previous, rejected transplants and/or circulating antibodies against HLA-antigens). Despite negative results in the crossmatch before transplantation and paucity of immunoglobulins in transplant biopsies, antibodies directed against endothelial cell antigens should be considered as a possible cause of classical complement activation.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Expression of the Fc-receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon RII, CD23) on alveolar macrophages in extrinsic allergic alveolitis.

Expression of the Fc receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon R) was analyzed on alveolar macrophages (AM) in 10 patients with extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA) compared with 10 patients with sarcoidosis and to 6 apparently healthy controls. By using the anti-Fc epsilon RII mAb M-L25 in immunocytochemistry experiments, we found that greater than 60% of AM in 10 of 10 patients with EAA were strongly positive, as evidenced by visual analysis in light microscopy and by cytometry. By contrast, no significant staining was detected in sarcoidosis or in controls with either method. Similar results were obtained when Fc epsilon R were identified with preformed immune complexes consisting of NIP-specific human/mouse chimeric IgE antibody plus NIP-ovalbumin. Furthermore, greater than 60% of AM in patients with EAA stained positive for IgE, demonstrating that endogenous IgE is bound to the AM. Our data suggest that IgE antibodies bound to Fc epsilon RII on AM may be involved in pathophysiology of extrinsic allergic alveolitis by activation of the AM after binding of allergen to the cell surface IgE. Furthermore, with the clearcut pattern of Fc epsilon RII expression in extrinsic allergic alveolitis it may be possible to use CD23 antibodies for differential diagnosis of inflammatory lung disease.

Adult↗

[What is established in the therapy of kidney diseases?].

The established therapy for glomerular disorders of the kidney is outlined in a short review. Before initiating therapy, the physician must decide if the underlying disease is of primary or secondary type. The nephrotic syndrome and progressive renal insufficiency can result in both conditions. The necessary dietary and pharmacological principles in the therapy of these syndromes are discussed. Finally, the clinical and therapeutic aspects of secondary glomerulopathy are described with selected examples.

Glomerulonephritis↗

Detection of both isotypes of complement C4, C4A and C4B, in normal human glomeruli.

Monoclonal antibodies reactive against the complement C4A and C4B isotypic components were used in an immunoperoxidase technique for the histological study of normal human renal tissue. Prominent staining with both antibodies was seen in the mesangial areas of all normal kidney sections investigated. Occasional staining of arteriolar walls of the same tissues, however, was also observed. In contrast, no mesangial staining was seen using monoclonal antibodies reactive against other 'early' complement components, such as C1q and C3. Specificity of the glomerular staining with the anti-C4 reagents was demonstrated in two patients possessing only the C4A serum component but lacking genetically the C4B locus products. As would be predicted, glomerular staining with the anti-C4A reagent, but not anti-C4B, was clearly demonstrable. It is concluded that both isotypes of complement C4 are present in normal human glomeruli and thus might be operative for normal mesangial function.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

[Recurrent pulmonary hemorrhage with normal kidney function].

A case of Goodpasture's syndrome with normal renal function is described. Clinical, morphological and prognostic features of the diagnosis are compared with the findings in Goodpasture's syndrome with progressive renal failure and with the findings in idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis.

Adult↗

Rare variant of complement C4 is seen in high frequency in patients with primary glomerulonephritis.

59 unselected patients with primary glomerulonephritis were phenotyped for alleles of the MHC-linked complement genes, C4A, C4B, and BF. A rare variant of the C4B locus, C4B*2.9, was found in 25% of these patients compared with only 2% of the normal population--a relative risk of 22.1 for glomerulonephritis in individuals with this variant. Subdivision of patients by histological classification of glomerulonephritis revealed a significant association of C4B*2.9 with the membranoproliferative form. There were no significant associations between primary glomerulonephritis or its subtypes and the other HLA markers tested.

Alleles↗

Endobronchial laser therapy--differential therapeutic use and clinical value.

Endobronchial laser irradiation was performed on 27 patients with inoperable malignant (n = 23) and benign (n = 4) disease of the bronchial system for the treatment of recurrent pulmonary bleeding and recanalization of centrally obstructed or stenosed airways. The essentially palliative measure led in more than half the patients with hemoptysis to immediate and lasting hemostasis, in all patients with stenosis to complete or partial restoration of airway patency, and in 7 of 11 patients with total obstruction to a radiologically verifiable re-expansion of atelectasis. In the total of 58 laser treatments performed, complications occurred in three cases and were managed by conventional clinical measures. Successful recanalization in patients with pre-existing bronchial obstruction presupposes a short-segment, polypous tumor growth, intact bronchial wall structures, and short occlusion time. In addition to the treatment and prophylaxis of recurrent pulmonary bleeding, the principal use of endobronchial laser treatment in the future will probably concentrate on the palliative therapy of preocclusive stenoses of the trachea and main bronchi.

Adult↗