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Biomedical subjects

E Tala

Publications and source records attributed to E Tala.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Detection and identification of mycobacteria by amplification of a segment of the gene coding for the 32-kilodalton protein.

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the rapid detection of mycobacterial DNA is described. Oligonucleotide primers, derived from the sequence of a gene coding for the 32-kDa antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, amplified DNA from all 28 species of mycobacteria tested. All nonmycobacterial species tested were negative. An oligonucleotide probe hybridized to the PCR products of the strains belonging to the M. tuberculosis complex. This method could detect as little as 50 fg, as tested with purified M. tuberculosis DNA. By this amplification method, 127 sputum specimens were tested, with 7.9% of the specimens proving to be inhibitory in PCR. The sensitivity of detection by PCR compared with that by culture was 55.9%; when the inhibitory specimens were excluded, the sensitivity was 70.4%. The specificity of PCR combined with hybridization was 100%.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1992

Wegener's granulomatosis--treatment under revision?

A 44-year-old man with nasal and respiratory symptoms combined with positive serum antibodies to neutrophil cytoplasmic antigens (ANCA) suggestive of Wegener's granulomatosis was treated with antibacterial agents. Complete clinical response was achieved with co-trimoxazole, and the titer of ANCA declined. After a 12-month treatment period, the patient contracted fever and respiratory symptoms and fatigue again, and he had proteinuria and hematuria. After the institution of conventional treatment with oral prednisolone and cyclophosphamide, a favorable response was achieved. Wegener's-like granulomatosis is difficult to diagnose at its early stage, but the presence of ANCA may be helpful. We suggest that co-trimoxazole should be considered as a first-line treatment, under careful supervision, for young patients whose disease is limited to the respiratory organ.

Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic↗
PubMed1992

Indispensability of mediastinoscopy in intrathoracic tuberculosis.

An analysis of 33 patients with histologically confirmed intrathoracic tuberculous lymphadenopathy was made. Tuberculosis could have been diagnosed without mediastinoscopy only in 3 patients: 2 had positive bronchial cultures and 1 simultaneous cervical lymph node tuberculosis. Bacteriological confirmation is conclusive, but seldom possible. Mediastinoscopy provides the best method to obtain tissue samples, and consequently, it is still necessary in the diagnosis of intrathoracic tuberculous lymphadenitis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Periodic breathing imitating hyperventilation syndrome.

We report a male patient who developed an unusual periodic breathing. At presentation, the differential diagnosis at bedside between Cheyne-Stokes and primary hyperventilation syndrome was laborious, and the final verification was based on the result of capnography.

Cheyne-Stokes Respiration↗
PubMed1991

Evaluation of the BCG revaccination programme of schoolchildren in Finland.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the need for the BCG revaccination programme of schoolchildren in Finland. DESIGN: Investigating tuberculin sensitivity using the standard WHO Mantoux test and developing a model to estimate the risk of discontinuation, assuming that the annual incidence of tuberculosis within ten years after revaccination will remain at its present level; that the revaccination rate will be 2, 6 or 20%; and that the degree of protection will be 10, 20, 40 or 80%. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Urban and rural schoolchildren--3,346 vaccinated with Copenhagen and 655 with Glaxo BCG vaccine at birth. RESULTS OF DATA ANALYSIS: The annual incidence of tuberculosis was 4.2 per 100,000 in the age-group 15-24 years. BCG revaccination was given formerly to 20% of the age cohort but nowadays only 6% or 2% meet the criteria after receiving either Copenhagen or Glaxo BCG at birth. After discontinuation the expected increase of tuberculosis in the age-group 15-24 years is predicted to fall within the limits of 0.1-24 cases per year. If 2% are left without revaccination the increase will be 0.1-2.4 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the low annual incidence of tuberculosis in adolescents and to the small risk of increase the BCG revaccination programme has been discontinued from 1990 onwards.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Pulmonary infiltrates and fever induced by isoniazid.

An 88 year old woman with bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis was first treated with isoniazid, rifampicin and pyrazinamide. Two weeks later she developed pulmonary infiltrates with fever. A drug-induced reaction was suspected but the reaction recurred three times until isoniazid was identified as the cause. The reaction became worse each time, finally being nearly fatal.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Mediastinoscopy in relation to clinical evaluation.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the entire spectrum of mediastinoscopy, from common to rare conditions, in relation to clinical judgement. The 2021 consecutive patients comprised 992 with 'open' clinical diagnoses at mediastinoscopy and 1,029 with verified or presumptive diagnoses. In the first group the most common indications for mediastinoscopy were pulmonary infiltrate (73%) and mediastinal shadow (17%), and in the second group they were bronchogenic carcinoma (57%) and sarcoidosis (38%). Mediastinoscopy was classified as positive in 43% of the first, and 60% of the second group. Of the total series, 51% had positive mediastinoscopy findings, the most common being malignant disease (24%) and sarcoidosis (21%). Mediastinoscopy was useful especially for evaluating malignant mediastinal involvement, but also for differentiation of lymphadenopathies and in diagnosis of rare diseases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Tuberculosis in Scandinavia--Finland families' black sheep].

The incidence of tuberculosis in the Nordic countries is one of the lowest in the world: Denmark 5.1, Iceland 6.4, Norway 6.9 and Sweden 6.5; whereas in Finland it is around the mean for Europe, 28.9 per 100,000 (1988). The immigrants are the risk group because they usually come from countries with a high prevalence. The BCG-vaccination at birth is still used in Finland. Other Nordic countries vaccinate mainly the risk groups. Revaccination is no longer indicated. After the discontinuation of the BCG at birth in 1975 the sensitivity to environmental mycobacteria has increased in Sweden. The screening programmes have been phased out but there is reason to take tuberculosis into account at pre-employment examinations, and to perform meticulous contract tracing of the smear-positives. Effective short course chemotherapy is given in all the countries. The Nordic countries must continue to keep accurate tuberculosis registers, to maintain the high diagnostic level and successfully apply the latest high technology and know-how for the eradication of tuberculosis which, however, will persist into the next generation.

BCG Vaccine↗
PubMed1988

Fatal asthma in two regions of Finland.

To determine the factors associated with deaths from asthma we surveyed retrospectively all the death certificates issued in two regions of Finland (the province of Oulu and the province of Turku and Pori) over a ten-year period in which asthma had been given as the main cause of death. We then examined patients' records to check whether asthma was the main cause of death. A total of 156 deaths could be ascribed to asthma, 87 in patients under 65 at death and 69 over 65. More deaths tended to occur during the weekends, and in the younger age group more occurred during the night than by day. Previous drug treatment was considered inadequate in 45% of the cases. The management and drug treatment of the final exacerbation phase were also often inadequate, at least among the younger victims, and the terminal attack was usually short, death often occurring in three hours or less. Despite the shortcomings in treatment, the number of deaths from asthma in the younger age group has fallen in the province of Oulu over the last 20 years.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

A new method for testing tuberculin skin reactivity--chamber test.

The Mantoux test and a chamber tuberculin test applied to the surface of the skin in 4 concentrations were performed on 229 children and 516 adults. The results were recorded at 72 hours. There was a significant correlation between the two tests. The chamber tuberculin test is technically easy, painless and atraumatic. It gives an opportunity of using a full range of concentrations of tuberculin resulting in a quantitative measurement of sensitivity in one and the same test procedure.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Tuberculous peritonitis simulating peritoneal carcinosis.

Two cases are reported exemplifying the difficulties faced in the clinical diagnosis of peritoneal tuberculosis. Two fertile-aged nulliparous females were admitted with symptoms and signs of an acute abdomen. Both showed a relative intestinal obstruction, abdominal mass and ascitic fluid. A malignant disease was suspected and laparotomy was performed. Tuberculous peritonitis was demonstrated histologically in biopsy and later confirmed by positive culture for tubercle bacilli. In the first case the correct diagnosis was disclosed during operation by frozen section, although the histological picture also indicated possible carcinosis because of a heavy mesothelial hyperplasia. A 9-month chemotherapy with isoniazide and rifampicin, supplemented during the first 2 months by streptomycin or ethambutol, was successful in both cases.

Adult↗