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Biomedical subjects

F Ferchal

Publications and source records attributed to F Ferchal.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Zidovudine for thrombocytopenic purpura related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine whether zidovudine is effective in increasing the platelet count in patients with thrombocytopenic purpura related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. DESIGN: Nonrandomized controlled trial with two consecutive regimens. SETTING: Immunopathology and hematology clinics at two general hospitals. PATIENTS: Consecutive sample of 34 patients infected with HIV who had thrombocytopenic purpura (platelets less than 50 x 10(9)/L) without visceral bleeding. Twenty-nine patients completed the study; one patient was removed because of drug toxicity. INTERVENTIONS: Zidovudine for 12 weeks, 250 mg every 6 hours orally in 10 patients; and 500 mg every 8 hours orally in 24 patients. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Three of ten patients receiving 250 mg every 6 hours and 12 of 24 patients receiving 500 mg every 8 hours had a persistent increase in their platelet counts. In both groups the mean value of the platelet count increased significantly by week 12; from 28 x 10(9)/L +/- 12 (SD) to 57 x 10(9)/L +/- 36 in the first group and from 20 x 10(9)/L +/- 13 to 77 x 10(9)/L +/- 42 in the second group (P less than 0.05 and P less than 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Zidovudine is effective on platelet counts in some patients with HIV-related thrombocytopenia. These results suggest that HIV itself may play a direct or indirect role in the pathogenesis of this disorder.

Adult↗

[Adult T-cell leukemia associated with HTLV1 and positive HIV2 serology in an African woman].

We report a case of acute adult T-cell leukemia associated with HTLV1 infection in a young African woman. The leukemic proliferation consisted of CD4-, CD25-positive lymphoid cells with typically convoluted nuclei and monoclonal integration of the HTLV1-proviral DNA. The clinical course was characterized by a rapid progression of the leukemia with development of hypercalcemia, resistance to chemotherapy, and the presence of multiple opportunistic infections. The additional finding of a seropositivity for HIV2 raises the problem of the respective contribution of the two retroviruses in this patient's disease.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

[The cell infected by cytomegalovirus].

Cytomegaloviruses are characterized by the long duration of their reproducible cycle, their narrow host range, their latency of infection properties of the subfamily beta-herpesviridae. The cell infection leads either to the production of infectious viruses, as in the human fibroblast which is the only permissive cell in vitro, or to a latent infection possibly reactivated in cases of cellular immunodepression. Although these viruses shave some of the properties of the oncogenic viruses, there is no definitive evidence that they cause human tumors. They should be considered as cocarcinogens.

Cytomegalovirus↗

Comparison of six methods for detecting human rotavirus in stools.

The following six methods for detecting rotavirus in human faecal samples were compared: electron microscopy, immune electron microscopy, immunofluorescence in cell culture, two enzyme immunoassays (Rotazyme, Enzygnost ) and a latex agglutination test ( Rotalex ). Specimens were collected from 112 children with diarrhoea. The relative sensitivities of the different assays for human rotavirus were as follows: electron microscopy, 84%; immunofluorescence, 86%; Rotalex , 88%; Rotazyme, 89%; immune electron microscopy, 93%; Enzygnost , 98%. According to our findings Enzygnost is the most sensitive method, but Rotalex is more valuable for screening a small number of faecal samples. No false-positive results were observed in the two enzyme immunoassays or in Rotalex .

Child, Preschool↗

[Parvovirus (serum-parvovirus-like-virus) and Aurillac antigen. A study of 18 cases].

Two cases of parvovirus viraemia were observed in 1972 by screening of blood donors for HBs Ag by counter-electrophoresis. This virus was named "Aurillac" from the town in which the first case originated. In London, a virus found in the same circumstances in 1975, was found identical to the Aurillac Ag. The authors named it "serum parvovirus-like virus" (SPLV) or parvovirus B 19. Since 1972, 16 additional cases have been observed in Paris. Among these 18 cases, 11 were blood donors, 4 were hospital staff and 3 were patients. Second serum samples were available for 13 of the 18 cases. Seroconversion has been detected in all except one, a patient with lymphosarcoma. Antibody could be observed within few days. Anti-Aurillac antibody was found by CEP in 25,3% of blood donors. Examination of antigen positive sera by immune electron microscopy using a late serum sample showed aggregates of spherical particles measuring 20 nm in diameter. The antigen banded in caesium chloride at a density of 1.38. Ten of the 15 healthy adults could be interviewed: 7 appeared symptomless, 1 had a fever up to 39 degrees C for one day, 2 had erythema (as well as 3 subjects who had been in contact with these 2 persons). These cases are discussed and compared to the British literature showing that this virus could provoke the fifth disease or erythema infectiosum and aplastic crisis in chronic hemolytic syndromes. This virus could contaminate clotting factors.

Adolescent↗

[Immunity related to cytomegalovirus after allogenic bone marrow transplantation: role of donor immunity to cytomegalovirus in the incidence of cytomegalovirus infection in recipients].

Cytomegalovirus infections are severe and frequent after BMT. This study included 34 bone marrow transplant recipients (23 aplastic anaemias and 11 leukaemias), their marrow donors and 125 related or non related normal controls. Assays were performed before transplantation and every 30 days between D 0 and D 90, and then every six months. They included detection of CMV induced lymphocyte proliferation in vitro, CMV antibody determinations by complement fixation and reverse haemagglutination, viraemia and/or viruria. Similarly, cellular immunity to mitogens and to other specific antigens was evaluated. During the period of study, 22 patients developed CMV infection. The diagnostic was confirmed by virus isolation from the 12th to the 96th day after the graft. Development of positive CMV proliferation test occurred from the 9th to the 84th day after virus isolation (30 to 120th day after the graft). In one case, the CMV infection was only proved by the lymphocyte proliferation to CMV in vitro and only 60 days later by viruria and 105 days later by detection of CMV antibodies. For the other 12 patients (7 aplasies and 5 leukaemias) and 10 of their bone marrow donors, no CMV infection was proved, before or after transplant, by any of the assays performed. By selecting a donor without previous CMV infection, we hope to reduce the incidence of CM infection in recipients.

Anemia, Aplastic↗

[Herpesvirus infections during treatment inducing remission of acute leukemia].

Herpes virus hominis infection was observed in 28% (diagnosis ascertained on viral examination) to 33% (clinical suspicion) of 36 adult patients prospectively studied during remission induction chemotherapy for acute leukaemia. Symptoms are non specific so that diagnosis relies upon viral isolation. All infected patients but one survived the viral infection and the prognosis of the underlying acute leukaemia was unaffected.

Acute Disease↗

[Herpes virus infections during a remission induction treatment in acute leukemias].

Herpes virus hominis infection was observed in 28% (diagnosis assessed on viral examination) to 33% (clinical suspicion) of 36 adult patients prospectively studied during remission induction chemotherapy for acute leukaemia. Symptoms are non specific so that diagnosis relies upon viral isolation. All infected patients but one survived the viral infection and the prognosis of the underlying acute leukaemia was unaffected.

Acute Disease↗

[Fatal herpetic hepatitis in an apparently healthy adult].

The authors report the case of a 46-year old patient who died from fulminant herpetic hepatitis. No cause of immuno-depression was documented in this patient. No skin or mucosal herpetic lesion was found except a questionable urethritis. Herpes virus was demonstrated in the hepatocytes by electron microscopy and isolated from the serum. It was identified as herpes virus hominis type II. The low titer of circulating antibodies did not permit the distinction between herpetic primo-infection and reactivation. The features of the hepatic injury are discussed and compared with previous reports. An active diagnostic approach of herpetic hepatitis is considered.

Acute Disease↗

[Search of a cytomegalovirus infection during pseudo-membranous colitis. 6 cases (author's transl)].

Six patients with pseudomembranous colitis unrelated to lincomycin or clindamycin treatment were investigated for signs of localised or diffuse cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Before the onset of colitis 3 patients had receive prednisone, associated in 2 of them with immunosuppressive drugs. Testing for CMV included rectal mucosa biopsies, culture of blood leucocytes with human embryo diploid fibroblasts in continuous layer and titration of complement-deviating anti-CMV antibodies. Cytomegalic cells with nuclear inclusion bodies were found in the rectal mucosa of 5 patients, 4 of whom also had foci of CMV-infected cells in leucocyte-fibroblast cultures, indicative of viraemia. The fifth patient was not tested for viraemia but developed very high anti-CMV antibodies titers at a later stage. These results show that pseudomembranous colitis that are not due to antibiotics are frequently associated with localised or diffuse CMV infection. Viral invasion of the colon might be encouraged by a state of immunodeficiency.

Adult↗

[Presence of enteric viruses in non-diarrheic canine stools].

Rota-, corona- and parvovirus particles have been visualized by direct electron microscopy in canine stools collected at random in Paris streets. A possible involvement of these viruses in gastroenteric diseases is discussed in the light of these findings.

Animals↗