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Biomedical subjects

F Gerber

Publications and source records attributed to F Gerber.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Kinetics of circulating antibodies, immune complex and specific antibody-secreting cells in tuberculosis patients during 6 months of antimicrobial therapy.

OBJECTIVE: During the follow-up of a group of patients with active tuberculosis, the predictive potential of several antibody-based assays was evaluated in monitoring treatment efficacy. DESIGN: Eleven patients with bacteriologically documented pulmonary tuberculosis and two patients with tuberculosis pleurisy were studied over a period of 6 months, from the day before treatment to its completion. The kinetics of the humoral response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis was determined by the number of specific circulating antibody secreting cells (ASC) (ELISPOT assay), as well as the titres of specific circulating antibody and specific antibody present in circulating immune complexes (quantitative ELISA). RESULTS: Follow-up ELISPOT assays, performed after initiation of tuberculosis therapy showed a rapid increase of ASC, during the first week, followed by rapid 3-10 fold decline of ASC in 12 of 13 patients tested. This decline occurred more rapidly than the mycobacterial culture conversion. In contrast, follow-up of ELISA assays did not give relevant information in assessing the outcome of treatment. CONCLUSION: In comparison with direct detection of tubercle bacilli in sputum samples, the rapid clearance of specific circulating ASC occurring early on after the onset of therapy could suggest a potential usefulness of ELISPOT in monitoring therapeutic response.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

An experimental comparison of three types of case management for homeless mentally ill persons.

OBJECTIVE: Three types of case management were compared to determine their relative effectiveness in helping people with severe mental illness who were homeless or at risk of homelessness. METHODS: Subjects recruited from a psychiatric emergency room and inpatient units were randomly assigned to one of the three treatment conditions: broker case management, in which the client's needs were assessed, services were purchased from multiple providers, and the client was monitored; assertive community treatment only, in which comprehensive services were provided for an unlimited period; and assertive community treatment augmented by support from community workers, who assisted with activities of daily living and were available for leisure activities. Of 165 subjects recruited, 135 were followed for 18 months. RESULTS: Compared with clients assigned to broker case management, clients assigned to assertive community treatment only and assertive community treatment with community workers had superior outcomes on several variables. They were number of contacts with the assigned treatment program, resource utilization (for example, use of entitlements), severity of thought disorder, activity level, and client satisfaction. Clients in the assertive community treatment only condition achieved more days in stable housing than those in the other two treatment conditions. No significant treatment group effects were found on income, self-esteem, or substance abuse. CONCLUSIONS: Assertive community treatment is superior to broker case management in assisting individuals with serious mental illness who are at risk of homelessness.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1997

[Intrabronchial curietherapy. Experiences at Hôpital Saint-Louis after the treatment of 149 patients].

Endobronchial tumour obstruction threatens to occur in cases of carcinoma of the bronchus throughout the course of the disease. Such patients can benefit from relief of the bronchial obstruction by several techniques which are currently available. We have treated 149 patients with endobronchial radiotherapy. Seventy three patients were treated with a view to cure, 47 with a palliative dose and 29 received endobronchial radiation in complement with external irradiation. The treatment was carried out in series repeated every 15 days until a maximum of three treatments, consisting of two sessions at 24 hour intervals delivering at each session and irradiating of 7 Gy with a 1 cm catheter. All the clinical signs were relieved and in 79% of patients there was a symptomatic benefit. One hundred and thirty two patients were evaluated by control endoscopy two months after the treatment and 64 had a complete histological remission. The median survival was 14.4 months for patients treated with intent to cure. Obtaining a histological remission was a gauge for prolonged survival (median survival 26.5 months), 11 (7.4%) had massive hemoptysis and 13 (8%) irradiation pneumonitis, all of which occurred some time after the therapeutic procedure. The results confirm the feasibility and the good results of endobronchial irradiation in this field and encourage the idea of controlled multi-centre trials in order to assess a placed of endobronchial radiotherapy in the therapeutic strategy of bronchial cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1992

[Value of magnetic resonance imaging in the detection of intramedullary metastases of bronchial epidermoid carcinoma].

A 68 year old female presented with an intramedullary metastasis which was found to be caused by an epidermoid bronchial carcinoma. This type of metastasis is a rare complication and a diagnosis is difficult. The authors stress the importance of nuclear magnetic resonance as a non-aggressive diagnostic method which is very sensitive in detecting this type of pathology.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

[Techniques applicable to broncho-alveolar lavage fluid in hospital laboratory for the diagnosis of parasitic and fungal pneumopathies in immunosuppressed patients].

Parasitic and fungal organisms which are likely to cause pulmonary infections in immunosuppressed patients can be detected in broncho-alveolar fluid (BAL fluid). Single and standard methods, such as direct examination of the pellet, eosine-methylene blue fast (RAL 555), cultures in usual mediums of mycology must be systematically applied to this sample and may help detect these organisms without further exploration. If the results are negative, more recent techniques can be used if they present a real asset: an easier reading and mostly an improved sensitivity. Such is the case of immuno-fluorescence assay with monoclonal antibodies for detection of Pneumocystis carinii, and inoculation of MRC5 fibroblast cell line in tissue culture for isolation of Toxoplasma. Fungal pulmonary infections diagnosis has not yet succeeded in benefiting from modern findings: latex tests proposed for the detection of circulating antigens are nor sensitive nor specific, except the "Crypto LA test". Considering the relatively frequent association with other infectious agents, the detection of a parasitic or fungal organism in the BAL fluid should not interrupt investigation of this sample; neither should it lead to hasty conclusions regarding the responsibility of this agent in acute pneumopathy. This role will have to be evaluated according to criteria which are different for each isolated organism.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid↗
PubMed1990

Treatment of brittle fingernails and onychoschizia with biotin: scanning electron microscopy.

Pathologic hoof changes in horses and swine can be normalized by administration of biotin. This vitamin has been given orally to women with brittle fingernails or onychoschizia. The aim of the study was to test whether the favorable clinical results could be corroborated by scanning electron microscopy. We investigated the distal ends of the fingernails from 32 persons. They were placed into three groups: group A consisted of 10 control subjects with normal nails, group B comprised eight patients with brittle nails studied before and after biotin treatment, and group C was 14 patients with brittle nails in whom the administration of biotin did not coincide exactly with the initial and terminal clipping of the nails. The thickness of the nails in group B increased significantly by 25%. In group C, the increase was 7%. Splitting of the nails were reduced in groups B and C and the irregular cellular arrangement of the dorsal surface of brittle nails became more regular in all nails of group B and in 8 of 11 nails of group C.

Biotin↗
PubMed1990

Morphological abnormalities in vitamin B6 deficient tarsometatarsal chick cartilage.

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that deficiency of vitamin B6 would produce morphological characteristics of osteochondral lathyrism. To accomplish this goal, morphological characteristics of chick cartilage in which lathyrism was produced by two separate dietary regimens was compared to morphological changes encountered in vitamin B6 deficiency. Vitamin B6 deficiency should reduce activity of lysyloxidase needed for producing intermolecular cross-links. The question to be addressed was: would this latter deficiency impair collagen morphological features and secondarily other structures indirectly by reducing collagen molecular assembly? Failure of cross-linking of collagen in the positive controls was related to a lack of functional aldehyde cross-link intermediates which are blocked by homocysteine and aminoacetonitrile. Day-old-male Lohmann chicks were fed adequate (6 mg/kg) or vitamin B6-deficient diets. Cross-link defects were induced by homocysteine-rich diets (0.6% w/w) or a diet containing aminoacetonitrile (0.1% w/w). Animals were sacrificed at 6 weeks of age and Ossa tarsalia articular cartilage specimens, as well as the proximal end of tarsometatarsus were dissected from the tibial metatarsal joint, a major weight-bearing site. Light microscopic observations revealed reduction of subarticular trabecular bone formation, concurrent with overexpansion of the hypertrophic cell zone. Ultrastructural electron microscopy observation of articular fibro-cartilage indicated significant thickening of collagen fibers in vitamin B6 deficient birds, as well as the positive controls in comparison to that of cage-matched control birds. It was concluded that vitamin B6 deficient cross-linking may be responsible for the observed delay in bone development and aforementioned cartilage histological alterations.

Aminoacetonitrile↗
PubMed1990

Opportunistic agents in bronchoalveolar lavage in 99 HIV seropositive patients.

During a ten month period, 117 fibreoptic bronchoscopies and bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL) were performed in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients suspected of having opportunistic pulmonary infections. The BAL were classified into 3 groups, according to clinical manifestations related to HIV infection at the time of fibreoptic bronchoscopy: pre-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (n = 54), AIDS with Kaposi's sarcoma (n = 37), AIDS without Kaposi's sarcoma (n = 26). On chest X-ray, diffuse infiltrates were most common (54%), followed by normal X-rays (24%) and localized infiltrates (18%). Amongst the 117 BAL, 68 (58%) yielded at least one opportunistic agent. In 28 BAL performed for pulmonary signs or unexplained fever with normal chest X-rays, one or several opportunistic agents were isolated in 17 samples of BAL fluid. The most frequently identified opportunistic agents were Pneumocystis carinii (in 38% of BAL) and cytomegalovirus (35%); these were associated in 17% of BAL. There was no statistically significant difference in opportunistic agents among the 3 groups of BAL (pre-AIDS, AIDS with Kaposi's sarcoma, AIDS without Kaposi's sarcoma). In particular, cytomegalovirus was found in BAL with the same frequency in these 3 groups.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

Measurement of bacterial and fungal air counts in two bone marrow transplant units.

We evaluated air contamination with bacteria and fungi in a transplantation unit, successively housed in two buildings. Bacterial air contamination was least in laminar air flow rooms, and reduced in ultraclean air rooms in comparison with conventional rooms. Similar results were obtained with culture of air for fungi.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMed1989

[Comparative study of 2 classical technics of coloration and an indirect immunofluorescent assay applied to research on Pneumocystis carinii in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and induced sputum in HIV+ patients].

Two histochemical staining methods, eosine-methylene blue fast (RAL 555) and silver methenamine (modified Grocott's technique), and indirect immunofluorescence assay with an anticyst monoclonal antibody were used to detect Pneumocystis carinii in the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid and induced sputum from 58 HIV+ patients. Immunofluorescence disclosed the largest number of carriers (35 p. cent of examined patients). However, the histochemical staining techniques remain of interest and are the initial method of choice. They are inexpansive and rapid to achieve; less sensitive than immunofluorescence, positive results argue a high enough level of parasitism which leads to clinical manifestations. The increased sensitivity of immunofluorescence has considerably improved the ability to detect Pneumocystis in induced sputum. It allowed us to disclose 18 out 20 carriers (90 p. cent). However when a Pneumocystis is suspected, it is preferable to sample bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Its examination is quick, easy and quantitative appreciation of results bring important diagnostic arguments. Other parasites, such as toxoplasmas, may also be detected. On the other hand, the examination of expectoration is time consuming and difficult to read and interpret. Therefore, sputum induction for the diagnosis of Pneumocystosis should be reserved to unequiped centers or insufficiently equiped centers (i.e., devoid of intensive care units).

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1986

[Experimental allergic asthma].

This paper is concerned with the induction of experimental allergic asthma by active sensitization of the airways "vis-à-vis" heterologous protein. Thus in the rodent it is possible to sensitize the airways by direct intra-tracheal injection of the allergen without producing an allergic alveolitis; the concomitant injection of an adjuvant is however indispensable. Confirmation of the sensitized state can be made by in vitro measurements of isometric contraction of tracheal smooth muscle in the presence of the allergen. This active sensitization is accompanied by histocytological changes which are detected by immunomorphological techniques: the rise in the number of plasma cells sensitized to IgE in the mediastinal modes: the appearance (or increase in number) of intra-cytoplasmic IgE in the sub-epithelial tracheal mast cells and in certain non ciliated intra-epithelial cells, probably basophils, morphologically close to the mast cells.

Allergens↗
PubMed1985

[Effect of glucocorticoids in chronic dyspneic asthma: histological and immunohistochemical study of the bronchial mucosa].

This prospective study was done in 8 patients with chronic asthma, hospitalised for an exacerbation of their illness without any evidence of airway infection. The intention was to measure both qualitatively and quantitatively the impact of high dosage glucocorticoids on the inflammatory changes of the bronchial mucus in such patients. Biopsies of the proximal bronchi by fibreoscopy were taken before and after 6 to 9 days of Prednisolone (0.5-0.75 mg/kg per day), this treatment led to a relative rise in the FEV1 (VEMS) of at least 15%. These biopsies were fixed in Bouin and Paraffin, and the sections simultaneously processed for qualitative identification (histochemical and immuno-peroxidasic) of cells infiltrating the bronchial mucosa and for a count of these cells in a pre-determined sub-epithelial zone. It was noted: In all patients at the entry to the study: an essentially lympho-monocytic cellular infiltrate of the bronchial mucosa, a virtual absence of neutrophils, and various abnormalities of the surface epithelium. After 6 to 9 days of steroids there was a persistence of epithelial lesions and in 6 out of 8 patients a statistically significant fall in the density of the inflammatory infiltrate. In 75% patients suffering from exacerbations of chronic asthma, the improvement in the ventilatory function with dosage corticotherapy was accompanied by a fall in the level of inflammatory infiltrate in the proximal bronchi.

Adult↗