Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F D Pien

Publications and source records attributed to F D Pien.

69 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1976

Problems with beaded fluorescence pattern in FTA-ABS test.

The significance of false-positive FTA-ABS fluorescence in connective tissue diseases and other clinical conditions was evaluated by studying the serum from several groups of patients. In 12% of 67 patients without syphilis, serum with an antinuclear antibody (ANA) titer of 1:32 or greater gave low intensity FTA-ABS test fluorescence. In 20% of 150, patients (2.7% with a history of syphilis), serum with rheumatoid factor (RF) titers of 1:640 or greater demonstrated some reactivity. Only 1.3% of 75 donors of normal blood showed low-grade FTA-ABS fluorescence. In 385 patients with diagnostic problems, 2.1% of the serum demonstrated the beaded pattern. Patterns varied, depending on the treponemal antigen preparation and the duration of serum storage. Also, multiple specimens from the same patient produced different patterns. Furthermore, the beaded pattern could be demonstrated in patients with a history of syphilis, with other medical disorders, and in apparently normal persons.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗
PubMed1974

Variation in performance of the serum bactericidal test.

Questionnaires were sent to 37 diagnostic microbiology laboratories to assess their methods for performance of the serum bactericidal test. Of the 28 responding laboratories, 26 utilized the test, with considerable variation among methods. Culture and dilution media included Trypticase soy, Mueller-Hinton, brain heart infusion, Columbia broth, dextrose phosphate, and pooled human serum. Several different schemes for dilution of the test serum were employed, including both micro and macro methods. The greatest variation occurred in the size of the bacterial inoculum, with only eight laboratories having a method for standardization of the inoculum. Other differences included the time of incubation, the method of subculture, and determination of the bactericidal end point. These studies emphasize the need for assessment of the variables in the performance of this test and for the development of a standard method for diagnostic laboratories.

Blood Bactericidal Activity↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical features of Aeromonas enteritis in Hawaii.

The incidence and clinical features of enteritis associated with Aeromonas in Honolulu were studied. The stool isolation rate was 2.9% for Aeromonas, the third most common bacterial pathogen in this population. Clinical features of Aeromonas-associated enteritis were compared with clinical features of enteritis without an associated bacterial pathogen. Although there was a trend toward more abdominal pain, tenderness, nausea and prolonged illness in patients with Aeromonas, these differences were not statistically significant. In most cases, Aeromonas enteritis is a self-limited illness, indistinguishable from other causes of diarrhoea seen in our clinic.

Aeromonas↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Head and neck cellulitis in hospitalized adults.

INTRODUCTION: Our purpose was to review the clinical features of head and neck cellulitis in hospitalized patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective review was undertaken of 147 cases of head and neck cellulitis seen over a 15-year period at a community Hawaiian hospital. RESULTS: Otologic cellulitis was mainly related to otitis externa, caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, although some cases had infected pierced ears or ear cysts. Cervical cellulitis was associated with malignancy, dental infection, or lymphadenitis; these patients often had positive blood cultures. Facial cellulitis was almost always caused by Staphylococci and Streptococci, usually preceded by dental infections, traumatic abscesses, or sinusitis. All study patients recovered completely, except for one patient who developed cavernous vein thrombosis and oculomotor palsy. Seventy-five percent of the patients recovered with parenteral antibiotics alone; the other patients required abscess drainage and/or other surgical procedures, especially if neck infection was present. CONCLUSION: Although head and neck cellulitis cases have grave potential consequences, most patients do very well with proper antibiotics and appropriate surgical drainage.

Abscess↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Retrospective study of hospitalized patients with chronic leg ulcers in Hawaii.

The authors describe 226 patients with chronic leg ulcers at a community hospital over a 14-year period. Most leg ulcers were ischemic or venous in origin and located below the ankle. Fifty-five percent of patients were diabetic and the majority of patients were hypertensive. The cases required prolonged hospitalization for systemic antibiotics and vascular surgery. Only 2.3% of patients required above the knee amputation, and 7% needed below-the-knee amputation.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Rifampin, a useful drug for nonmycobacterial infections.

Rifampin has clinical efficacy against a wide variety of organisms, including Staphylococcus aureus, Legionella pneumophila, group A Streptococcus, Brucella sp, Haemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria meningitidis, as well as in vitro activity against penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Haemophilus ducreyi, and many gram-negative rods. Rifampin is a useful drug for several types of bacterial infections because of its broad spectrum of activity, excellent tissue penetration, and low side effect profile. In combination with other antibiotics, it may be effective when conventional therapies are not.

Antibiotics, Antitubercular↗