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Biomedical subjects

E Schmutzhard

Publications and source records attributed to E Schmutzhard.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

The dependence of cell-mediated immune activation in malaria on age and endemicity.

In vitro, neopterin, a pyrazino-[2, 3-d]-pyrimidine compound, is produced by human monocytes-macrophages following induction by either supernatants from activated T lymphocytes or by recombinant gamma interferon. In vivo, its determination in urine or serum provides a sensitive and specific test for the activation grade of cell-mediated immune reactions. Urinary neopterin levels were measured in 128 Tanzanian individuals (age 6 months to 54 years) with parasitologically proven malaria. Levels in a subgroup of 117 previously untreated patients were compared with those previously reported from 19 untreated malarial patients from Bangkok, Thailand (age 7 to 62 years). The influence of concomitant variables such as age, fever, parasitaemia, duration of symptoms and local endemicity of malaria upon neopterin excretion levels was analysed. In the Thai patients, levels were considerably higher than in Tanzanian subjects of similar age. Among the Tanzanian patients, an overwhelming influence of age was detected, children showing extremely high neopterin excretion levels. The other variables did not influence neopterin levels significantly. Our findings are in accord with recent data on the prevalence and mean titres of antibodies to the circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium falciparum, which indicate that in endemic areas acquired humoral immunity develops slowly with increasing age, while prevalence and severity of disease decline.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Cerebrospinal fluid findings in neurological manifestations of Lyme disease.

The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings in 21 patients with different manifestations of Lyme disease are presented. 15 patients exhibited CSF changes including a lymphoplasmocytic pleocytosis and a CSF protein profile indicating a barrier leakage combined with an intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis. Six patients-mainly suffering from cranial neuritis-had a normal CSF.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Involvement of Borrelia burgdorferi in cranial nerve affection.

From January 1984 to August 1985 54 patients presented with cranial nerve lesions at the neurological department of the University hospital Innsbruck. Median age was 42 years, range 5-81 years. Female male ratio was 49/15. In 17 patients cranial neuritis was consistent with meningopolyneuritis Bannwarth (MPN) in 37 cases mere facial palsy was present. Cranial neuritis in MPN-patients affected N. facilis in 10, N. opticus and N. oculo-motorius in one case each. Five patients had polyneuritis cranialis with affection of the cranial nerves II, V, VI, VII, VIII, and IX (Table 1). IgG-antibodies to B. burgdorferi were found in the sera of all MPN patients and in 15 of cases with mere facial palsy. Patients with antibodies to B. burgdorferi were treated with intravenous penicillin and latamoxef dinatrium. The remaining 22 patients were treated with vitamin B compound and corticosteroids. The time for full recovery was 4 weeks on the average in each treatment group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Epidemiology of borrelia infections in Austria.

From April 1984 to July 1985 873 cases of Borrelia infections were registered at the Hygiene Institute of the University of Vienna. 2609 serum samples of these patients were investigated for antibodies against B. burgdorferi by means of IFA- and ELISA-tests. Erythema chronicum migrans (ECM) was recognized in 60.9% of patients, neurological abnormalities were recorded in 23.4% of which the majority manifested themselves as polyradiculitis and meningopolyneuritis (MPN). Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans (ACA) was recognized in 11.5%. A small number of patients suffered from Lymphadenosis cutis benigna (LCB), arthritis and cardiac abnormalities. Sixty percent of patients were females and 40% males. Infections were found in all age groups ranging from 2-83 years in females and 1-85 years in males. Tick- or insect-bites prior to the onset of illness were reported by 47.2% and 15.6% of patients, respectively. The main vector is the hard tick Ixodes ricinus. Flying insects from the family tabanidae, i.e. Chrysops caecutiens and Haematopota species, must also be considered as transmitters. Antibodies to B. burgdorferi were found in 22.3%, 93.6% and 100% of sera from patients with ECM, MPN and ACA, respectively. Six of 11 patients with LCB and all with arthritis and cardiac abnormalities showed serologic reactivity. Geographically, Borrelia infections are distributed in all states of Austria. The seasonal distribution of cases show a peak in July and August, but the onset of clinical manifestation could be observed throughout the year. These results present Austria as an area where tick- or insect-borne Borrelia infections are very frequent and endemic in all Austrian states.

Acrodermatitis↗
PubMed1986

Meningopolyneuritis Bannwarth with focal nodular myositis. A new aspect in Lyme borreliosis.

A patient with serologically confirmed infection by Borrelia burgdorferi presenting with painful paresis and atrophy of the proximal muscles of both upper extremities and bilateral facial paresis is described. Electromyography showed a neurogenic and myopathic pattern, and creatine kinase was raised. Muscle biopsy revealed the typical signs of focal myositis. Treatment with i.v. penicillin led to dramatic clinical and serological improvement. Muscle biopsy was repeated 2 months later; neurogenic changes were still present, but no inflammatory signs could be seen anymore. Thus, the presented case may be the first reported of meningopolyneuritis accompanied by focal nodular myositis, in the second stage of Lyme borreliosis.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1986

New perspectives in acute spinal epidural abscess. Illustrated by two case reports.

The histories of two patients with spinal epidural abscess are reported. Attention is drawn to the route of infection by means of direct inoculation of pathogens in the wake of paravertebral infiltration of local anaesthetics for relieving lower backpain, furthermore we emphasize the rare occurrence of a relapsing acute spinal epidural abscess. Additionally the diagnostic superiority of nuclear magnetic resonance tomography is described in a patient known to be allergic to commonly used contrast material.

Abscess↗
PubMed1986

Secondary cerebral amebiasis due to infection with Entamoeba histolytica. A case report with computer tomographic findings.

The clinical and serological findings and computer tomographic (CT) appearances of a case of secondary cerebral amebiasis due to Entamoeba histolytica are presented. The effect of therapy on the neurological symptoms as well as on the CT findings are described in detail. The multiple intracerebral lesions resolved almost completely and the patient survived without any neurological sequelae.

Amebiasis↗
PubMed1985

Borrelia burgdorferi, a possible cause of Bell's palsy?

The etiology of Bell's palsy (B.P.) is as yet unknown. In 7 out of 20 patients with B.P. we observed significantly elevated antibodies against Borrelia burgdoferi (IgM and IgG) by means of an indirect Immunofluorescence test (IIFT). Controls were 50 healthy subjects and 25 patients with various neurological disorders. All were of comparable age and sex, with similar residential backgrounds. In this group no significant titer of antibodies against B.burgdorferi were detectable.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Polyneuritis cranialis associated with Borrelia burgdorferi.

Three patients with classical idiopathic polyneuritis cranialis, in whom no other aetiology could be detected, were examined serologically, by means of indirect immunofluorescence test, for antibodies (IgM and IgG) against Borrelia burgdorferi, the aetiologic agent of Lyme disease. In each case polyneuritis cranialis was caused by infection with Borrelia burgdorferi. Therapy with penicillin proved to be effective.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Cerebral malaria in Tanzania. Its epidemiology, clinical symptoms and neurological long term sequelae in the light of 66 cases.

A neurological study of 66 patients with the cerebral form of Plasmodium falciparum malaria is presented. The patients were diagnosed, treated and re-examined at the Mnero Hospital, south-east Tanzania. Epidemiological aspects, neurological symptoms and the results of re-examination within six months of discharge from hospital are described. Although the mortality rate was low, some degree of neurological disability could be detected in a number of children at the follow-up examination.

Adolescent↗