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Biomedical subjects

F Lucht

Publications and source records attributed to F Lucht.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Is there IgA of gut mucosal origin in the serum of HIV1 infected patients?

This study was performed in 77 HIV1 seropositive adult patients to characterise the IgA hyperglobulinaemia seen in the serum during the course of HIV infection. It was shown that both IgA1 and IgA2 subclass concentrations were simultaneously increased but the IgA1 increase was predominant. Secretory IgA (SIgA) concentration was significantly increased and IgA activity to gliadin, bovine serum albumin, and casein could be detected and was correlated with SIgA concentration. In contrast, IgA activity to cytomegalovirus and to tetanus toxoid did not correlate with total IgA concentration. These data suggest the presence of IgA from gut mucosal origin in the serum of these patients. Hyper IgA was inversely correlated with the CD4+ cell number. The increase of all parameters studied varied according to the total IgA concentration in the serum but was also directly related to the stage of immune deficiency in patients with hyper IgA.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

[Immunoglobulins E and human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV)].

Except for Ig E, serum immunoglobulin abnormalities in persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have been well described. Serum IgE levels have been shown to rise with progressive disease. The authors evaluated IgE in 148 HIV-seropositive individuals with or without acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Mean serum IgE levels were compared between groups based on absolute CD4 lymphocyte counts or clinical status (CDC) and with a seronegative control group. Higher serum IgE levels were observed in seropositive-patients. A rise in IgE serum is common in patients with HIV infection; it could be link with an earlier dysregulation in the IgE synthesis. No correlation was found between IgE level and CD4 counts.

Adolescent↗

[Efficacy and tolerance of cefotiam hexetil in the super-infected chronic sinusitis. A randomized, double-blind study in comparison with cefixime].

Efficacy and safety of a new oral third generation Cephalosporin, Cefotiam Hexetil (CTM) 200 mg bid were compared with those of Cefixime (CX) 200 mg bid over 10 day duration of treatment. One hundred and twenty two ambulatory adults suffering from chronic sinusitis were randomized by ENT specialists in this multicentre prospective double blind, doubled dummy study. Sinusitis diagnosis evocated in front of fascial pain, purulent nasal discharge and/or obstruction was confirmed with sinus X-ray. Use of antibiotics or corticosteroids concomitantly or 15 days prior inclusion represented one of the major exclusion criterion. One hundred and seventy one patients were evaluated for efficacy analysis (62 and 59 respectively in CTM and CX groups). Regarding demographic data, clinical and radiological signs, the two populations were comparable at inclusion excepted for sex and weight (female: 73% in CTM group versus 47% in CX group). The overall clinical success rate at the end of treatment (cure+improvement) was not significantly different between the two groups (CTM: 82% versus CX: 80%). The incidence of adverse events was less frequent in the CTM group (14.5% versus 19%). In conclusion, CTM 200 mg bid is as efficacious and as well tolerated as CX 200 mg bid in the treatment of chronic sinusitis in adults.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

A comparative study of cefepime and ceftazidime in the treatment of community-acquired lower respiratory tract infections.

Antibiotic treatment for community-acquired pneumonia must target Gram-positive pathogens, especially frequently isolated organisms such as Streptococcus pneumoniae. The severity of community-acquired pneumonia is often related to underlying factors. Occasionally it may be complicated by staphylococcal or Gram-negative bacillary infection. We have compared the safety and efficacy of cefepime 1 g bd with ceftazidime 1 g tds as empirical treatment in adults with community-acquired lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs). One hundred and thirty-one patients with moderate to severe LRTIs were randomized to two treatment groups: 87 received cefepime and 44 received ceftazidime. The treatment groups were comparable with regard to sex, age and treatment duration. Of the 116 pathogens isolated, 57 were Gram-positive (46 strains of S. pneumoniae) and 59 were Gram-negative (33 strains of Haemophilus influenzae). Of the 111 patients evaluated, clinical cure rates were 87% (65/75) in the cefepime group and 86% (31/36) in the ceftazidime group. Pathogen eradication rates were 95% (74/78 and 36/37, respectively) in both groups. Both drugs were well tolerated and the incidence of adverse events in each group was comparable. Cefepime 2 g per day (1 g bd) was as safe and effective as ceftazidime 3 g per day (1 g tds) in the treatment of community-acquired LRTIs.

Adult↗

Antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus in relation to CD4 cell number in human immunodeficiency virus 1 infection.

Interaction between herpesviruses and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)1 is postulated in the progression of HIV disease. In order to evaluate the specific antibody responses directed to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) and to provide serological evidence suggesting reactivation of these viruses able to accelerate the immunodeficiency, we studied IgA and IgG titres to EBV and CMV in the serum of HIV positive patients in relation to the CD4 cell number. The titres of IgG antibodies to EBV and the prevalence of IgG to CMV were significantly higher in HIV positive patients compared to control high risk HIV negative subjects. In HIV infected patients, anti-VCA IgG antibodies increased and anti-EBNA IgG antibodies decreased progressively in relation to the decline of CD4 cell number whereas anti-CMV IgG antibodies did not varied significantly at the same time. Anti-VCA IgA and anti-EA IgG antibodies were found uncommonly and with low titres. IgA antibodies to EA and CMV were not detected in any patient. The variations in EBV antibody response that we describe in HIV infection were previously reported in other immunodeficiency states and could be distinctive of these diseases.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Evidence for T-cell involvement during the acute phase of echovirus meningitis.

Little is known about the cellular immune response during the acute phase of enterovirus infection. This was studied in patients with echovirus meningitis by analysing changes in the lymphocyte subset distribution both in blood and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and their stage of activation. A significant increase of whole T-cell and CD4+ T-cell counts was observed in CSF in parallel with a slight decrease of T-cell percentage in blood. Activation of the cellular immune response is supported by the observation of elevated neopterin levels in serum and CSF. However, the phenotypic markers of T-cell activation, IL-2 receptor (CD25), and HLA-DR antigens were not detected in blood or in CSF.

Adolescent↗

[Cerebral nocardiosis cured by repeated stereotaxic punctures and antibiotic therapy].

We report the case of a 58-year old man who had been on corticosteroid therapy for several months and presented with cerebral nocardiosis. Computerized tomography showed multiple brain abscesses. As the neurological status was getting worse, several stereotactic needle aspirations were performed, resulting in decompression of the brain and permitting bacteriological examination of the pus. Antibiotic therapy based on sensitivity tests was administered, and cure was obtained in the 4th month of treatment.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

[Takayasu's disease and post-traumatic scalp necrosis].

This relates the case of a 19-years old female suffering from Takayasu's disease, who sustained injury with extradural hematoma formation calling for emergent evacuation thereof. The immediate postoperative period in this neurosurgical patient was characterized by extended necrosis of the scalp and underlying bone, due to low blood supply to the head in connection with her disease. The authors review the main characteristics of this rare inflammatory arteriopathy, and point out to the multidisciplinary collaboration which prompted healing of the patient's loss of substance.

Adult↗

Chronokinetic study of netilmicin in man.

Netilmicin 1.5 mg/kg body weight was administered intravenously every 8 h for 2 days to 8 patients with normal renal function. Significant elevation of mean and trough plasma concentrations was found at 05.00 h and 09.00 h. This was considered to be due to circadian variation, with possible accumulation during the night. The clinical importance of this phenomenon in relation to the development of aminoglycoside toxicity awaits further investigation.

Adolescent↗