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Biomedical subjects

G R Hodges

Publications and source records attributed to G R Hodges.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1977

Prosthetic valve endocarditis: reviewing the problem.

Bacterial endocarditis is a serious complication of valve replacement, with an overall mortality of 59%. Fever, although a constant feature of the condition, is a nonspecific finding; other manifestations may or may not be present and the diagnosis may be overlooked. Any patient with a prosthetic heart valve and bacteremia should be considered to have endocarditis and should be treated accordingly.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1977

Thioridazine-hydrochloride-associated agranulocytosis.

A patient with thioridazine-hydrochloride-associated agranulocytosis is described and eight previously reported cases are reviewed. This complication is most likely due to a direct toxic effect on the bone marrow. As in our case, markers for an immunologically mediated mechanism have not been found. Thioridazine-hydrochloride-associated agranulocytosis usually occurs between the fifth and 11th week of therapy and is not related to the total dose of drug received. Three of the nine patients with thioridazine-hydrochloride-associated agranulocytosis have died from infectious complications. Thus, careful monitoring for infection and prompt therapy are indicated.

Aged↗
PubMed1976

Pneumonitis and pulmonary abscess associated with Moraxella nonliquefaciens.

A 78-year-old man with pneumonitis and pulmonary abscess associated with Moraxella nonliquefaciens is presented. This organism was found by culture of both transtracheal aspirate and sputum. No previous reports have associated M nonliquefaciens with infection of the lower respiratory tract, although sinusitis and bronchitis have been reported. Possible predisposing factors in our patient included carcinoma of the larynx, as well as alcohol ingestion and cigarette smoking.

Aged↗
PubMed1976

Complications with heparin-lock needles. A prospective evaluation.

Because the frequency of complications related to heparin-lock needle usage is unknown, 221 heparin-lock needle insertions in 78 patients were observed for the development of complications. Upon removal of 119 heparin-lock needles from 42 patients, specimens were obtained for culture. Phlebitis was associated with 27 (12%) heparin-lock needle insertions. Only a positive flush culture of the heparin-lock needle system correlated with the development of phlebitis. Phlebitis developed during the first 4 days after heparin-lock needle insertion in two instances and later than 4 days after insertion in 25 instances. All positive flush cultures were obtained from heparin-lock needles in use for longer than 4 days. No patient developed clinically apparent systemic infection. These data suggest that heparin-lock needles should not be used for more than 4 days because, after 4 days of use, there is a significant risk of developing phlebitis, a lesser risk of developing contamination of the infusate in the heparin-lock needle system, and a potential risk of developing nosocomial infection.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1976

Determination of serum gentamicin sulfate levels: ordering patterns and use as a guide to therapy.

Determination of serum gentamicin levels (SGLs) is helpful in monitoring therapy in patients receiving this drug because there is a narrow therapeutic margin and serum levels may vary greatly between patients receiving similar doses. During a ten-month period, definite indications for obtaining SGL determinations were present for 189 of 212 serum samples (89.2%) submitted to the laboratory. However, 110 samples (51.9%) were improperly drawn and results of 85 samples (40.1%) were ignored. Only 26 of the 62 correctly drawn and not ignored samples (41.9%) were appropriately acted on. At most, 42 of the 212 samples (19.8%) were appropriately used in making patient-care decisions. Thus, in this study, an inordinatley large number of SGLs were incorrectly drawn, apparently ignored, or inappropriately used in making patient-care decisions.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed1975

Measles pneumonia. Bacterial suprainfection as a complicating factor.

During a 3 1/2-month period, 32 previously healthy young men were first seen typical prodromal symptoms and signs of measles. On admission or within 48 hours of admission, 16 patients (50%) manifested physical signs and roentgenographic evidence of pneumonia. Of these 16 patients, ten (63%) were found to have bacterial suprainfection or colonization confirmed by culture of transtracheal aspirates. From six of these ten patients, Neisseria meningitidis serogroup Y was isolated as the sole organism responsible for suprainfection. In the other patients, Haemophilus species, Neisseria species (not N gonorrheae or N meningitidis), Streptococcus pneumoniae, and beta-hemolytic Streptococcus (not group A or D were isolated alone or in combination. The data suggest that bacterial supra-infection associated with measles pneumonia is not unusual in adults and N meningitidis serogroup Y is a potential pathogen of the lower respiratory tract.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1973

Cephacetrile: clinical evaluation in 27 patients.

Cephacetrile, a new derivative of 7-aminocephalosporanic acid, was evaluated in 27 patients. Soft tissue infections due primarily to gram-positive cocci were treated in 16 patients; 12 had bacteriological and clinical cure, and 4 improved but the lesions resolved incompletely or cultures remained positive. Seven of eight patients with respiratory tract infections were cured, including three with pneumococcal pneumonia; the eighth proved to have a noninfectious process and failed to respond. Two patients with acute urinary tract infections due to Escherichia coli had prompt clinical and bacteriological improvement, but follow-up was incomplete. One patient with sepsis due to Staphylococcus aureus expired. Laboratory abnormalities observed during cephacetrile therapy included mild eosinophilia in four patients, thrombocytosis in nine, direct Coombs' test positivity in four, and an elevated serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase in eight patients. No evidence of nephrotoxicity was detected. Severe superinfection due to Enterobacter species was observed in one patient. Mean peak serum concentrations of cephacetrile were 22, 69, and 104 mug/ml after 1 g intramuscularly, 1 g intravenously, and 1.5 g intravenously, respectively. Thus, in early studies cephacetrile was efficacious for selected bacterial infections, but determination of its comparative value within the cephalosporin group of antibiotics requires further clinical investigation.

Bacterial Infections↗