Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to F S Stals.
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Two antiviral compounds, (S)-1-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)cytosine [HPMPC] and 9-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl)guanine [DHPG], were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) replication in human embryonal fibroblasts and on rat cytomegalovirus (RCMV) replication in rat embryonal fibroblasts. The concentrations of HPMPC or DHPG required to inhibit HCMV plaque formation by 50% were 0.1 and 0.6 micrograms/ml, respectively. For RCMV, these values were 1.1 and 25 micrograms/ml, respectively. For HCMV, the selectivity indices of HPMPC and DHPG, as determined by the ratio of the 50% inhibitory concentration for cell growth to the 50% inhibitory concentration for virus plaque formation, were 1,250 and 140, respectively, and for RCMV, they were 500 and 76, respectively. HPMPC was far more active than DHPG against RCMV infection in vivo as measured by mortality, histopathological changes, and virus titers in organs of immunocompromised RCMV-infected rats. The minimal effective dosage required to prevent mortality from RCMV infection was a single dose of HPMPC at 2 mg/kg of body weight compared with DHPG therapy twice daily at 20 mg/kg/day for 5 days. Furthermore, HPMPC was more effective than DHPG in reducing virus titers in internal organs (P less than 0.01) and in RCMV-induced histopathologic lesions. In contrast to DHPG, which did not show activity when administered 1 day before infection, HPMPC was effective even when administered 7 days before RCMV infection.
An experimental rat model to study acute cytomegalovirus infections is described. Eight-week old male Brown Norway rats, immunosuppressed by total body irradiation, were infected with rat cytomegalovirus (RCMV). The effects of infection were determined by survival rates and the presence of virus or viral components in different organs was assayed by plaque test, immunoperoxidase staining, dot-blot DNA hybridization and in situ DNA hybridization. At days 10-post infection nearly 90% of the animals had died. Spleen, liver and bone marrow were heavily infected. Interstitial pneumonia was observed. Pathological findings strongly resembled the full scale of lesions in human CMV infections. Anti-RCMV hyperimmune serum was effective against mortality from RCMV infection and viral spread to lungs and liver was prevented. This model is appropriate for studies on the pathogenesis and antiviral therapy of CMV infections in the immunocompromised host.
An acute mastoiditis can occasionally present as a swelling in front of the ear. An inflammation of the air cells of the mastoid cavity can spread, via the cells in the root of the zygomatic arch, to the soft tissues of the cheek. Unfamiliarity with this underlying cause of a swollen cheek can lead to delay of proper treatment with potential harm to the patient. This case presents such an uncommon form of mastoiditis in a 3-year-old boy; the failure to recognize the disease initially led to extensive osteomyelitis of the temporal bone. CT scanning was important in establishing the cause of the persistently severe condition of the boy, in spite of bilateral myringotomies and mastoidectomy on the right side. Destruction of bone from the zygomatic arch to the suture between temporal and occipital bone was shown. Extensive removal of diseased bone was achieved neurosurgically, thus leading to uneventful recovery.