Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

E Papadopoulos

Publications and source records attributed to E Papadopoulos.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Comparison of infection rates of Oestrus ovis between sheep and goats kept in mixed flocks.

Oestrosis is a nasal myiasis of sheep and goats caused by larvae of the fly Oestrus ovis and can lead to severe clinical signs, which together with the disturbance caused by the adult fly may result into serious economic losses. Infection rates and larval burdens are always higher in sheep than in goats after either natural or artificial infestation. The aim of this study was to compare the host preference of the adult fly O. ovis between sheep and goats in mixed flocks, where they are kept together under the same husbandry conditions and hence, are very similarly exposed to the fly preference. Blood sera samples were collected from a total of 397 sheep and 335 goats, from 43 mixed flocks located at different regions of Greece. Antibodies specific to O. ovis IgG were measured by ELISA. A flock was considered positive when at least one individual was positive, i.e. showed a seropositivity of >or=20% in relation to positive control sera. A total of 193 (48.6%) sheep and 58 (17.9%) goats were found to be seropositive against O. ovis. Thirty-eight (88.4%) out of 43 flocks had at least one seropositive animal. The mean seroconversion against O. ovis in animals from the different flocks was 38.6% and 13.6% for sheep and goats, respectively, whereas the variance of infection within each flock was 0-100%. The mean seropositivity between sheep that were found to be positive or negative was 60.6% and 5.4%, respectively, whereas the corresponding values between goats were 35.2% and 5.2%, respectively. No significant difference in the seroconversion values was noted between flocks from the different areas (P=0.817), whereas a very significant difference was observed between animal species (P=0.001). However, there was no significant difference when seroconversion comparisons were made within samples of the same animals species, sheep or goats from different flocks of all the regions included in the study (P=0.695). The results of this study clearly demonstrate that O. ovis has a widespread distribution in Greece, and the seroprevalence is significantly higher in sheep than goats (P=0.001).

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed2005

Effects of three anthelmintic regimes on milk yield of ewes and growth of lambs.

Forty ewes were allocated into one of four groups (n = 10) and were treated with albendazole (ALB) (3.8 mg kg(-1)) before lambing (group A), with ALB before and after lambing (group B), with moxidectin (MXD) (0.2 mg kg(-1)) before lambing (group C) or were untreated controls (group D). Counts of nematode eggs in faeces and coprocultures were carried out during the study, as well as ewes' milk yield measurements and lamb weighings. Pre-treatment mean eggs per gram (epg) counts were 640, 715, 625 and 630 for groups A, B, C and D, respectively (P > 0.05); respective counts 21 days after treatment were 5, 0, 0 and 690 epg, whilst 70 days after treatment they were 380, 145, 40 and 1120 epg. Mean lactation milk yield was 3527.5, 3893.5, 3786.4 and 3285.9 ml for groups A, B, C and D, respectively; no significant difference was evident among the four groups in milk yield collected during the suckling period, although subsequently, group B or C ewes yielded significantly more milk than controls (P < 0.05). Mean birthweight of lambs were 3.56, 3.45, 3.59 and 3.26 kg for groups A, B, C and D, respectively (P = 0.045); subsequently, lambs from treated ewes were significantly heavier than lambs from control animals (P < 0.001). We conclude that anti-parasitic treatment during the last month of pregnancy contributed to an increased birthweight of lambs of treated ewes, whilst the cumulative effect of two doses of ALB or the long persistent efficacy of MXD provided a longer protection of animals against new parasitic infections and contributed to a lactation persistence.

Albendazole↗
PubMed2004

Surgical management of cecal diverticulitis: is diverticulectomy enough?

INTRODUCTION: Cecal diverticulitis is a rare condition in the western population. The optimal management of this condition is still controversial, ranging from conservative antibiotic treatment to aggressive resection. We present our experience of the surgical management of eight cases of cecal diverticulitis over a 25-year period. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The mean age of the patients was 54.2 years. Five patients underwent diverticulectomy, 2 patients underwent ileocecal resection, and 1 patient underwent suture of the perforated diverticulum. RESULTS: The postoperative course of all patients was uneventful. At long-term follow-up (mean 14.6 years, range 1-25 years) none of the patients who underwent diverticulectomy, mentioned any symptom or complication. CONCLUSION: We conclude that diverticulectomy, if technically feasible, could be considered as adequate therapy for cecal diverticulitis. Aggressive resection should be considered in cases of extensive inflammatory changes.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Treatment of small lungworm infestation in sheep by using moxidectin.

The use of moxidectin (MXD) in the treatment of small lungworm infestation (Cystocaulus ocreatus, Muellerius capillaris, Neostrongylus linearis and Protostronglylus rufescens) in sheep, was evaluated. Twenty-one sheep naturally infested with small lungworms, were divided into three groups (n = 7) and treated as follows: group A with moxidectin 1% injectable solution at a dose rate of 0.2mgkg(-1) bodyweight, group B with moxidectin 0.1% oral drench at a dose rate of 0.2 mgkg(-1) bodyweight and group C being controls. Before treatment, mean faecal larval counts were 30.7, 21.1 and 26.7 lpg in group A, B and C, respectively; 14 days after treatment respective counts were 0.4, 2.3 and 63.0 lpg, (percentage reduction after moxidectin administration >96.0%); 60 days after treatment respective counts were 0.0, 0.0 and 26.4 lpg, (percentage reduction after moxidectin administration 100%). It is concluded that treatment of small lungworm infestation of sheep can be effected by using moxidectin.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2004

Comparative methodology for the detection and differentiation of circulating microfilariae of Dirofilaria immitis in the dog.

The sensitivities of the Knott's test (four 20-microl sediment aliquots), quantitative buffy coat capillary tube method (QBC tube, 111 microl of whole blood) and direct blood smear (DBS, 20 microl of whole blood) were evaluated for the detection of microfilaraemia in dogs. Undiluted whole blood samples taken from 70 Dirofilaria immitis antigen-positive dogs and 10 serially diluted microfilaraemic blood samples at concentrations of 400, 200, 100, 50, 25 and 12 microfilariae (mff) ml(-1) were examined. For filarial speciation, the buffy coat of QBC tubes was mixed with one drop of methylene blue-formalin solution and examined as a direct smear. In 52/70 microfilaraemic blood samples, the number of mff ranged from 12 to 321987 ml(-1) (median: 3199 ml(-1)). The diagnostic sensitivity of the Knott's test, QBC tube method and DBS in undiluted blood samples attained the 100%, 98% and 92.3% levels, respectively. Eighteen dogs tested amicrofilaraemic by all three methods. At concentrations of 400 mff ml(-1), a 100% sensitivity was found by all three methods, while at 200 mff ml(-1) the Knott's test, QBC tube and DBS were 100%, 100% and 90% sensitive, respectively. The relevant figures at 100 mff ml(-1) were 100%, 100% and 80%, at 50 mff ml(-1) 100%, 100% and 50%, at 25 mff ml(-1) 100%, 100% and 10% and at 12 mff ml(-1) 80%, 50% and 10%. At 50 and 25 mff ml(-1), the DBS was less sensitive compared to the other two methods, while at 12 mff ml(-1), only to the Knott's test. A significant correlation was found between the QBC tube method and Knott's test regarding mff speciation. Therefore, the QBC method may be considered a reliable alternative to the Knott's test for both the detection and speciation of mff in the dog.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Septic shock and multiple organ failure after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: treatment with recombinant human activated protein C.

Severe sepsis with multiple organ failure after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) results in extremely high morbidity and mortality. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of sepsis-induced activation of the coagulation system in the pathophysiology of severe sepsis. Activated protein C is an important modulator of coagulation and inflammatory derangements during severe sepsis. Low levels of protein C occur in severe sepsis and are predictive of poor outcome. Recombinant human activated protein C (drotrecogin alfa (activated)) was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for severe sepsis. The phase III trial that resulted in the approval of this agent, however, enrolled a general sepsis population and excluded patients undergoing HSCT. We report a case of fulminant septic shock and multiple organ failure after HSCT that was treated with drotrecogin alfa (activated) in addition to standard therapy, and recovered. The high mortality rates of patients who develop severe sepsis after HSCT demand that new avenues of treatment be considered for this very high-risk patient population. This case illustrates the potential application of a novel therapeutic approach. Clinical trials are warranted to further investigate the safety and efficacy of drotrecogin alfa (activated) in patients with severe sepsis after HSCT.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Drought and flock isolation may enhance the development of anthelmintic resistance in nematodes.

A survey of anthelmintic resistant nematodes was conducted in sheep and goat flocks in Greece using in vivo and in vitro tests. Faecal egg count reduction tests in Macedonia were all greater than 99% indicating very high sensitivity of the nematodes to anthelmintics. In vitro tests showed benzimidazole resistant Teladorsagia circumcincta in 17 out of 106 flocks on small islands. On the mainland there were only three cases of benzimidazole resistance out of 310 flocks and animals had recently been introduced to the flocks. Flocks on the islands are isolated and there are higher temperatures than on the more mountainous mainland, where flocks tend to intermingle. It is concluded that drought and isolation are likely to be the major factors accounting for the development of anthelmintic resistance in nematodes in the island flocks.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed2001

Seasonal variation of Oestrus ovis-specific antibodies in sheep and goats mixed flocks in Greece.

The aim of this survey was to investigate the year-round epidemiological patterns of Oestrus ovis ELISA sero-prevalence in sheep and goats kept together under the same husbandry system in an endemic area of Greece. Twenty-five adult female sheep and 25 adult female goats, coming from a large mixed flock, were randomly selected, eartaged and monthly blood sampled during 1 year period (November 1998-October 1999). Serological prevalence in sheep was 100% all around the year. Mean intensities of specific O. ovis antibodies follow a seasonal evolution with higher mean titers between March and July than in winter. In contrast, the serological prevalences in goats were low specially in winter months (from October to January). No significant difference were noticed in goats antibody levels during the year period. The possible reasons of this difference of O. ovis sero-prevalence between sheep and goats are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Effects of sarcoptic mange on the reproductive performance of ewes and transmission of Sarcoptes scabiei to newborn lambs.

In each of two experiments, the reproductive performance of ewes naturally infested with sarcoptic mange and of uninfested ewes was assessed in in-season natural breeding conditions (experiment I) or in out-of-season controlled breeding conditions (experiment II). A statistically significant difference was observed in the total lambs born per ewe (infested ewes, 1.2; controls, 1.6), in the liveborn lambs per ewe (infested ewes, 1.2; controls, 1.5) and in the lamb body weight per ewe (infested ewes, 3.33kg; controls, 4.53kg) under natural breeding conditions, as well as in the lamb body weight per ewe (infested ewes, 3.37kg; controls, 4.14kg) among ewes under controlled breeding conditions. No adverse effects were observed in the other reproductive indices, cycling rate, mating rate, return-to-oestrus rate, abortion rate, lambing rate and stillbirth rate. Sarcoptic mange was observed in the offspring of infested ewes after 30 days and in the offspring of uninfested controls 60 days after their birth.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Efficacy of moxidectin against sarcoptic mange and effects on milk yield of ewes and growth of lambs.

Forty-eight dairy ewes and 45 lambs naturally infested with sarcoptic mange, were divided into three equal groups and treated with moxidectin 1% inj. sol. at a dose rate of 0.2 mg moxidectin kg(-1) bodyweight once or twice ten days apart. During the study, the skin lesions were scored and the number of mites recovered in facial skin scrapings from the animals were recorded. Moxidectin was found to be effective against ovine sarcoptic mange, when given twice; the percentage reduction of mites was 100% (p < 0.0001) and the skin lesions disappeared completely (p = 0.0001). In sheep treated once only, the percentage reduction of mites varied from 75% to 92%. Treated ewes produced up to 22.4% more milk than the infested ones (p = 0.0001). Treated lambs had up to 15% greater final weight and up to 23.7% more growth than infested controls (p = 0.0001). It is concluded that two injections of moxidectin 1% inj. sol. at a dose rate of 0.2 mg kg(-1) bodyweight, given ten days apart, were effective against ovine sarcoptic mange. Furthermore, it is considered that sarcoptic mange adversely affects the production of the infested animals.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

High-dose carmustine, thiotepa and etoposide followed by autologous bone marrow rescue for the treatment of high risk central nervous system tumors.

Forty-two patients (29 newly diagnosed) with high grade gliomas (n = 37), medulloblastoma (n = 2) or non-biopsied tumors (n = 3) with supratentorial (n = 24), brain stem (n = 11), posterior fossa (n = 5) or spinal (n = 2) location were eligible for this study with adequate organ function and no bone marrow tumor infiltration. Median patient age was 12.2 years (range, 0.7-46.8). A total of 600 mg/m2 BCNU, 900 mg/m2 thiotepa and 1500 or 750 mg/m2 etoposide (VP-16) was administered followed by autologous bone marrow reinfusion (ABMR). Twenty-one newly diagnosed patients received local irradiation (RT) post ABMR. Nine early deaths were observed (21%), as well as one secondary graft failure. Half of the patients aged 18 years or older experienced toxic deaths, whereas only 15% of patients younger than 18 years experienced toxic death (P = 0.05). Of 25 evaluable newly diagnosed patients, 20% achieved complete remission (CR) and 4% partial remission (PR), while 28% remained in continuing complete remission (CCR) and 44% remained with stable disease prior to RT. Of eight evaluable patients with recurrent disease, one achieved CR and two PR, while one remained in CCR and four with stable disease for 1 to 110.2 months. Overall survival was 36%, 24% and 17% at 1, 2 and 3 years following ABMR, with three newly diagnosed patients and one patient treated for recurrent disease being alive, without disease progression 64.4, 67.0, 86.3 and 110.2 months after ABMR, respectively. The combination of high-dose BCNU/ thiotepa/VP-16 has substantial toxicity but definite activity for high risk CNS tumors. Similar protocols with lower toxicity merit further evaluation in both newly diagnosed and recurrent CNS tumors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Amplification of IS6110 sequence for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in HIV-negative patients with fever of unknown origin (FUO) and evidence of extrapulmonary disease.

OBJECTIVES: Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB) constitutes the main cause of classic fever of unknown origin (FUO) in many populations. The aim of this study was to improve the diagnostic field of the disease using a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, specific for the IS6110 insertion element of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, in order to achieve a more timely diagnosis and treatment. SETTING: Twenty-four, HIV-negative classic FUO patients who were admitted to the Regional Hospital of Alexandroupolis between April 1997 and July 1999. SUBJECTS AND DESIGN: The above patients were considered as putative extrapulmonary TB after 3 weeks of in-patient investigation and underwent exhaustive examination for diagnosis of the disease. For this purpose, specimens were obtained from peripheral blood and bone marrow from these patients, as well as from damaged tissues, and analysed by both PCR and conventional methods. Anti-tuberculous treatment was initiated in 16 out of 24 patients and the response to this regimen was considered as the final criterion for diagnosis of tuberculosis. RESULTS: Extrapulmonary TB was established in 11 patients. The PCR-based methodology, when applied to samples derived from bone marrow aspirations and suspected damaged tissues, was able to diagnose 10 of them, whereas the conventional methods were able to detect only two. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm the diagnostic value of molecular detection of M. tuberculosis in cases of FUO, thus supporting the application of PCR in tissue samples suspected of bacillus infection. Furthermore, our studies demonstrate that bone marrow aspiration specimens constitute an alternative, easy, safe and reliable source for such PCR analysis.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

High dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell rescue in adults with malignant primary brain tumors.

High dose chemotherapy (HDCT) with autologous (bone marrow or peripheral blood) stem cell rescue (ASCR) has had success in the treatment of some malignant pediatric brain tumors. We report a series of adults enrolled in one of three HDCT and ASCR protocols for malignant primary brain tumors. Overall toxic mortality was 18%; chemotherapy regimen, tumor type, and prior treatment did not predict transplant-related mortality. Patients over the age of 30 had a higher rate of toxic mortality. Patients with recurrent medulloblastoma had a significant improvement in long-term survival (median: 34 months) as compared with historical reports; two patients with glioblastoma survive beyond four years without progression, but overall, a significant improvement in long-term survival could not be demonstrated for malignant gliomas.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Melatonin levels in women with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Fibromyalgia (FM) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) are stress associated disorders mainly affecting women. FM is characterized primarily by widespread musculoskeletal pain, and CFS by profound debilitating fatigue, but there is considerable overlap of clinical symptoms between these 2 syndromes. Neuroendocrine abnormalities have been noted in both FM and CFS and desynchronization of circadian systems has been postulated in their etiology. The pineal hormone melatonin is involved in synchronizing circadian systems and the use of exogenous melatonin has become widespread in patients with FM and CFS. METHODS: We examined the characteristics and relationship of melatonin and cortisol levels in premenopausal women with FM (n = 9) or CFS (n = 8), compared to age and menstrual cycle phase matched controls. Blood was collected from an indwelling intravenous catheter every 10 min over 24 h, and plasma melatonin and cortisol were determined by radioimmunoassay at 60 and 10 min intervals, respectively. RESULTS: Night time (23:00-06:50) plasma melatonin levels were significantly higher in FM patients compared to controls (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference in melatonin levels between CFS patients and controls. No differences in the timing of cortisol and melatonin secretory patterns and no internal desynchronization of the 2 rhythms were found in either patient group, compared to controls. CONCLUSION: Raised plasma melatonin concentrations have been documented in several other conditions that are associated with dysregulation of neuroendocrine axes. Increased melatonin levels may represent a marker of increased susceptibility to stress induced hypothalamic disruptions. These data indicate that there is no rationale for melatonin replacement therapy in patients with FM and CFS.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

The relationship between temporomandibular disorders and stress-associated syndromes.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the comorbidity of temporomandibular disorders and other stress-associated conditions in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. STUDY DESIGN: Of 92 patients who fulfilled the criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia (or both), 39 (42%) reported a prior diagnosis of temporomandibular disorder. Further questionnaires were sent to the members of this group, and 30 patients responded. RESULTS: Of the original 92 patients, of whom 42% reported temporomandibular disorders, 46% had histories of irritable bowel syndrome, 42% of premenstrual syndrome, and 19% of interstitial cystitis. Of the patients with temporomandibular disorders, the great majority reported an onset of generalized symptoms before the onset of facial pain. Despite this, 75% had been treated exclusively for temporomandibular disorders, usually with bite splints. CONCLUSIONS: Patients appearing for treatment with chronic facial pain show a high comorbidity with other stress-associated syndromes. The clinical overlap between these conditions may reflect a shared underlying pathophysiologic basis involving dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal stress hormone axis in predisposed individuals. A multidisciplinary clinical approach to temporomandibular disorders would improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes for this group of patients.

Adult↗