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Biomedical subjects

F B Spencker

Publications and source records attributed to F B Spencker.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

[Neonatal infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae and Haemophilus parainfluenzae].

Haemophilus influenzae is a frequent causal agent of serious infections in infants. Mostly these infections occur at the age of 3 months to 3 years. Reports about infections in the neonatal period were rare in the past and most of them were single cases. In the last years an increase of neonatal infections due to Haemophilus influenzae had been reported. In the period from June 1980 to January 1986 we saw 5 newborns with severe infections due to Haemophilus influenzae and one neonate infected by Haemophilus parainfluenzae. By discussion of our cases and by review of the literature we want to show important aspects of pathogenesis, clinical symptoms, diagnostics and therapy of neonatal infections due to bacteria of the genus Haemophilus.

Haemophilus Infections↗

[Haemophilus cellulitis--a contribution to the differential diagnosis of cheek swelling in childhood].

The Haemophilus influenzae cellulitis in infancy is a disease with special features in relation to early clinical recognition and treatment. We describe three such cases seen in our hospital with Haemophilus influenzae as etiological agent. One patient died in consequence of a purulent meningitis recognized not in time and developing under antibiotic therapy not suitable for H. i. cellulitis. After review of the most important data from the literature suggestions were made for adequate diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in patients with H. i. cellulitis.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Evaluation of a latex agglutination test for rapid detection of rotavirus in faecal specimens.

Two methods for detecting rotaviruses (latex agglutination, electron microscopy) have been compared on 80 faecal samples. These samples were obtained from infants between the age of four and 30 months hospitalized for acute gastroenteritis in the Children's Hospital, Karl Marx University at Leipzig, in 1982. Complete agreement among the two techniques was found in 75 specimens. Sensitivity of latex agglutination could be estimated at 95%, the specificity also at 95%. Only one sample reacted nonspecifically. Performance of the latex agglutination proved quite simple. The results indicate that latex agglutination is suitable for rapid screening of rotavirus induced gastroenteritis in clinical practice thus enabling the rate of nosocomial rotavirus infections in children's hospitals to be reduced.

Acute Disease↗

[B streptococcal infections in the neonatal period and infancy].

From January 1975 to March 1985 37 newborns and infants with B streptococcal infections were treated in the Pediatric Hospital of the Karl Marx University in Leipzig. The percentage of B streptococcal infections of all neonatal bacterial infections rose in this time from 6.9% to 15.7%. There were 23 early onset type infections and 14 late infections; 12 of the 37 infants died. Septicemia and meningitis were the most important clinical features. The time of beginning of the clinical symptoms in the postnatal period and the results of serotyping suggest a connatal infection in most cases.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

[Infections caused by RS virus in young infants].

We saw 5 young infants with severe pneumonias due to RS virus (diagnosed serologically). Three of these infants were born as premature babies. Artificial ventilation was necessary in two cases. After the case reports follows a discussion of the most important problems of epidemiology, diagnostics and therapy of RS virus infections in young infants.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

[Orchitis and epididymitis caused by Salmonella cholerae suis in a premature infant].

It is reported on a premature infant who fell ill with an orchitis and epididymitis by Salmonella cholerae suis in the fourth week of life. The proof of the germs was carried out by means of two blood cultures as well as in the smear from the periorchium. The most important informations from literature concerning this subject are briefly reviewed.

Epididymitis↗

[Sodium homeostasis in neonatal infection of eutrophic premature infants].

In 14 premature infants suffering from bacterial sepsis during the first week of life the daily renal sodium and potassium losses as well as the concentrations in serum of both electrolytes were measured before and during the period of infection. 24 hours before appearance of first clinical symptoms of sepsis the sodium concentration in urine increases and the balance becomes negative. Hyponatraemia occurs later and is in correlation with the clinical course of the disease. Thus, the hyponatraemia is caused more by shifting of sodium from the extracellular space than by renal sodium excretion. To prevent this hyponatraemia the sodium intake has to be increased to 6 mmol/kg X 24 h as a minimum and the fluid intake has to be decreased to 80 ml/kg X 24 h as a maximum in the same time when antibiotic treatment is started. A short-term control of serum electrolytes is an important premise for a sufficient treatment. Increased sodium concentrations in urine of more than 50 mmol/l or again increasing concentrations beyond the second day of life can be appreciated as early signs of neonatal sepsis.

Humans↗

[Pathogen spectrum in bacterial meningitis in childhood and subsequent therapeutic strategy].

In a total of 223 children over one month old suffering from purulent meningitis, there was a predominance (n = 96) of meningococci over hemophilus influenzae (n = 68) and pneumococci (n = 59). Crucial to therapeutic strategy for purulent meningitis is early diagnosis, in our laboratory covering both liquor and blood cultures. Initial therapy has to take account of these three chief causal agents. We have not as yet observed any resistance to penicillin from meningococci or pneumococci, and none of the liquor-cultivated hemophilus influenzae stock has been resistant to ampicillin. In the first two years of life, initial therapy for bacterial meningitis should include ampicillin, a liberal (300-400 mg/kg KM/d) dosage continuing to be important after the onset of improvement. In view of the lack of resistance of the causal agents cultivated, we had hitherto no cell to deploy modern cephalosporins in cases of bacterial meningitis in children.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗