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Biomedical subjects

H Gil

Publications and source records attributed to H Gil.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Pronostic value of C-reactive protein measure in elderly patient with acquired pneumonia: correlation with Fine's score].

UNLABELLED: The Fine's score, a predictive score of infectious pneumonia gravity, does not integrate inflammatory parameters, which are routinely used in the management of infectious pneumonia. The aim of our study was to establish a correlation between the Fine's score and C reactive protein. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred patients hospitalized for infectious pneumonia, 57 men and 43 female, with an average age of 85 years were retrospectively recorded. RESULTS: The median level of C reactive protein was 157 mg/L. Global mortality rate was 26% and respectively 5, 16 and 45% in the grades III, IV, V of the Fine's score. Beyond 75,5 mg/L C reactive protein concentration, the mortality rate was contained between 28 and 32%. The comparison of the ROC curves of the Fine's score and C reactive protein did not showed any difference. CONCLUSION: C-Reactive protein is less precise than the Fine's score to assess infectious pneumonia gravity but seems to be an indicator of the potential gravity of the pneumonia.

Aged, 80 and over↗

Catch-up growth follows an abnormal pattern in experimental renal insufficiency and growth hormone treatment normalizes it.

The primary goal of this study was to determine if the ability to undergo catch-up growth following a transient injury is preserved in an experimental model of moderate chronic renal failure (CRF) and the effect of growth hormone (GH) administration on such phenomenon. Young rats were subtotally nephrectomized (days 0 and 4) (Nx). From days 11 to 13, food intake was restricted in subgroups of Nx and control (C) rats (NxR and CR). After refeeding, subgroups of NxR and CR rats received GH from days 14 to 20 (NxRGH and CRGH). Rats were killed on days 14 (C, CR, Nx, NxR), 17 and 21 (C, CR, CRGH, Nx, NxR, NxRGH), and 36 (C, CR, Nx, NxR). Longitudinal growth rate was measured by osseous front advance in the proximal tibiae. With refeeding, growth rate of CR, NxR, and NXrGH rats became significantly greater than that of C, indicating catch-up growth. This occurred later and with lower growth rate in NxR than in CR rats, whereas the characteristics of catch-up growth in CR and NxRGH animals were similar. Changes in growth rate were associated with modifications in the morphology and proliferative activity of growth cartilage. We conclude that catch-up growth occurs in renal insufficiency but follows a different pattern from that observed with normal renal function. GH treatment normalizes the pattern of catch-up growth in CRF. Changes in growth velocity are associated to modifications in the structure and dynamics of growth cartilage.

Animals↗

[Influenza vaccination among health-care workers. Vaccination rates in universitary hospital of Besançon, winter 2003-2004].

BACKGROUND: Influenza vaccination reduces the mortality of the patients when the vaccination rates of healthcare workers is important. PURPOSE AND METHOD OF THE STUDY: To investigate the vaccination rates at the Universitary Hospital of Besançon by anonymous questionnaire. RESULTS: Three thousand hundred seventy-seven answers were analyzed (228 men and 1145 women). Two hundred seventy-seven persons declared receiving the vaccine (20.1%) corresponding to sixty-three men (27.6%) and two hundred thirteen women (18.6%) (P = 0.001). The average age of the healthcare workers vaccined was of 38.9+/-11 years. Among most than 50 years, 34% was vaccined. Among the doctors, 40.5% were vaccined against 20.6% of the nurses. In the services of geriatrics, 78.5% of the staff was vaccined. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate a weak rate of influenza vaccination in our establishment and a misunderstanding of the character nosocomial of the influenza among the nurse.

France↗

Oncogenic osteomalacia: diagnostic importance of fibroblast growth factor 23 and F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT scan for the diagnosis and follow-up in one case.

A case of oncogenic osteomalacia is reported in a 71-year-old man who presented with bone pain, muscle weakness, and severe hypophosphatemia. The tumor which was localized in the left lower mandible was not detected by tomodensitometry, resonance magnetic imaging, and (111)IN-octreotide scintigraphy, but was easily localized by F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT SCAN (F-18 FDG PET/CT SCAN). To our knowledge, the value of this technique for detecting tumors in oncogenic osteomalacia has never been reported. Secondly, this case provided an opportunity for confirming the usefulness of serum fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) measurement for the diagnosis and follow-up. We conclude that FGF23 measurements combined with F-18 FDG PET/CT SCAN were decisive tools in a case of oncogenic osteomalacia and are likely to be of considerable importance for facilitating early diagnosis and follow-up in the future.

Aged↗

[Oncogenic osteomalacia: the role of the phosphatonins. Diagnostic usefulness of the Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 measurement in one patient].

INTRODUCTION: Oncogenic osteomalacia (OO) is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome characterized by severe hypophosphatemia induced by phosphaturic factors which are secreted by some tumors of mesenchymal origin. Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 (FGF-23) belongs to this family. Measurement of FGF-23 might improve the diagnosis of OO. EXEGESIS: We report the case of 71-year-old Caucasian man who had a history of severe osteomalacia with multiples fractures and extreme hypophosphatemia with hyperphosphaturia and normal serum calcium level. Serum FGF-23 was 199 RU/ml (N < 100 RU/ml). The tumor, detected by F-18 FDG PET/CT SCAN was localized in the mandible. Surgical removal of the tumor relieved all symptoms with normalization of serum phosphate levels within 3 days after surgery. CONCLUSION: We conclude that FGF-23 measurement is likely to be of considerable importance for facilitating early diagnosis of OO.

Aged↗

[Risk factors for Abacavir-induced hypersensibility syndrome in the "real world"].

UNLABELLED: Abacavir (ABC) is a generally well-tolerated NRTI. However, up to 5% of patients may develop hypersensitivity syndrome (HSS) within the first weeks of treatment. The objectives of this study were to describe the side effects of ABC, to evaluate the incidence of the ABC-HSS, and to identify the risk factors of HSS after first exposure to ABC in a cohort of patients followed up in a university HIV clinic. METHODS: The charts of all HIV-infected patients who started ABC between February 1998 and May 2002 were reviewed. HSS was defined as the onset, within 8 weeks of ABC initiation, of either a skin rash associated with at least one of the following symptoms (fever, gastrointestinal symptoms, respiratory symptoms, myalgia, malaise) or at least three of the above symptoms in the absence of rash. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors of HSS. RESULTS: Of the 191 patients studied (134 M, 57 F, mean age 39 years), 53 (27.8%) presented with manifestations that were regarded as potential side-effects of ABC. Ten (5.2%) developed HSS, none of whom died. Two factors were independently associated with an increased risk of HSS: history of allergy to nevirapine (OR 8.1, 95% CI 1.6-40.5, p = 0.02), and being naïve to ART (OR 5.8, 95% CI 1.2-28.5, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: This study "in the real world" confirms that the incidence of ABC-induced HSS is of about 5%. It also confirms that HSS occurs more frequently in patients with a history of allergy to nevirapine and in ART-naïve patients.

Adult↗

[Involvement of thoracic aorta revealing temporal arteritis. Three cases].

INTRODUCTION: Temporal arteritis involves large vessels in 15% of cases. Their discovery is usually late, commonly several years after the diagnosis. EXEGESIS: We describe three cases of temporal arteritis with thoracic aorta involvement: two patients presented with aorta aneurysm which revealed temporal arteritis, one patient had aortic insufficiency. Clinical features of temporal arteritis were absent in two patients. Temporal artery biopsy, performed in two cases, was positive. Two patients were treated with corticosteroids, associated in one case with immunosuppressive agent. Surgery was necessary in all patients. CONCLUSION: Thoracic aorta involvement in Horton's disease is most often discovered when corticotherapy is decreased. Aneurysm rupture or aortic dissection in aortic affection are the major complication. Patient with thoracic aorta involvement need a clinical and radiological follow up over long period.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

[Value of eosinopenia in inflammatory disorders: an "old" marker revisited].

PURPOSE: The value of eosinopenia as a test in favour of an infectious disease was suggested by Schilling since 1929. We tried to verify this hypothesis with a prospective and multicentric study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One thousand and thirty-eight patients were included (82 females and 56 males, means age: 71.8 years). Diagnoses were: 83 infectious diseases, 38 systemic diseases, 10 neoplasia and 7 miscellaneous. RESULTS: The mean value of eosinophils was 72/mm3 in bacterial infectious diseases and 214/mm3 in non infectious diseases (p < 0.01). When leukocytes were higher than 10,000/mm3 and eosinophils counts less than 40/mm3, predictive value for an infectious bacterial disease was 100% as well as specificity. Under same conditions, when protein C reactive was higher than 100mg x l(-1), the predictive value was 85% and the specificity was 57%. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that an inflammatory syndrome associated with hyperleucocytosis above 10,000/mm3 and eosinophils counts under 40/mm3 seems strongly related to bacterial infectious diseases.

Aged↗

[Liveoid vasculopathy with combined thrombophilia: efficacy of iloprost].

INTRODUCTION: Livedoid vasculopathy is characterized by early, focal painful purpuric lesions of the lower skin extremities without histologic finding of small vessel vasculitis. EXEGESIS: A 38-year-old man was seen in our unit for painful purpuric lesions of both feet localized on toes and external sides. Skin biopsy showed dermic vessel thrombosis and endothelial cell proliferation. Lupus anticogulant antibody was positive in association with a heterozygous factor V (Leiden) gene mutation (G1691A). Anticoagulation failed to relieve pain and cutaneous lesions. Intravenous iloprost, a prostacylcin analogous (Ilomedine) was dramatically and rapidly effective in our patient. CONCLUSION: Livedoid vasculopathy is a cutaneous affection related to vascular thrombotic events in which thrombophilia plays a central role. Iloprost might be an interesting alternative treatment of painful purpuric lesions when anticoagulant treatments are ineffective.

Adult↗

[Relative value of different antiphospholipid antibodies detected in a department of internal medicine: retrospective study of 124 patients].

PURPOSE: The value of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) detected in the sera of the patients of an Internal Medicine department is not univocal and is still much debated. To test the contribution of such new markers, we reviewed the records of patients having antiphospholipid antibodies detected between 1996 and 1997. METHODS: One hundred and twenty four patients, having at least one of these two aPL: lupus anticoagulant (LA), anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL), or one of these two anti-proteins: anti-beta 2glycoprotéin I antibodies (anti-beta 2GPI) or anti-prothrombin antibodies (aPT), were studied. LA was detected by a PTT-LA technique and aCL, anti-beta 2GPI and aPT by ELISA-sandwich techniques. For each patient we recorded sex, age, personal and familial history of thrombosis, fetal losses and systemic disease, the reason of aPL detection, the final diagnosis, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), platelets count and type of aPL. RESULTS: The population was composed of 77 women (62%) and 47 men (38%) with a mean age of 54 years [12-92 years]. A thrombocytopenia was strongly correlated to aCL presence (OR = 6.15 et p = 0.03). The reason of aPL detection was venous thrombosis, recurrent fetal losses, systemic disease, infectious disease or fortuitous discovery of a prolonged aPTT. The final diagnosis was a systemic disease in 57% of cases, an infectious disease in 14.5%, a thrombosis in 4.5% and a neoplasia in 3%. LA was detected in 54% of patients, aCL in 39.5%, anti-beta 2GPI in 23% and aPT in 31%. No relationship between the aPTT value and the type of aPL could be established. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that familial histories of venous thrombosis or systemic disease are useful to enhance antiphospholipid antibodies detection; that LA is mostly associated to systemic and infectious diseases; that aCL and anti-beta 2GPI are predominant in case of venous thrombosis and that thrombocytopenia has to enhance aCL detection and the discussion about a possible APS.

Adolescent↗

The impact of resistance to methicillin in Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia on mortality.

Background: It is unclear whether methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) differ in virulence. We therefore carried out a prospective study of cases of S. aureus bacteremia over a period of 2 years at our university hospital. We report herein the results of a comparative analysis of the clinical characteristics and mortality rates associated with cases of bacteremia caused by MRSA and MSSA. Methods: Over a 2-year period, we reviewed the medical records of hospitalized patients with blood cultures positive for S. aureus. Demographic characteristics, underlying diseases, diagnosis, clinical features, severity, laboratory findings, antimicrobial treatment, and resistance to methicillin were analyzed as possible risk factors for death attributed to bacteremia. Results: The rate of mortality attributed to bacteremia was 27.3% (27 patients): 13 (43.3%) deaths were recorded for patients infected with MRSA and 14 (20.3%) for patients infected with MSSA (P=0.0339, OR=3.00 (1.08--8.46)). Two variables were significantly associated with death within 14 days of the onset of bacteremia in univariate and multivariate analyses after adjusting for antimicrobial treatment: malignant hematologic disease (protective factor; OR=0.184 (0.038--0.882)) and resistance to methicillin (risk factor; OR=2.97 (1.12--7.88)). Conclusion: This study shows that S. aureus bacteremia has a high mortality rate, especially if the strain involved is methicillin-resistant, regardless of patient age and the efficacy of antimicrobial treatment.

Journal Article↗

[Myelodysplasias and systemic diseases. A non-fortuitous association].

PURPOSE: Myelodysplastic syndromes are clonal hematologic disorders, expanded from myeloid stem cells. A primitive immunologic disorder is discussed. This hypothesis could explain a non-casual association with systemic diseases. The aim of our study is to test this hypothesis. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated the data of 60 patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (group I) hospitalized in our unit from 1990 to 1999. The frequency of systemic disorders was screened and compared to controls (group II). Group II consisted of 120 patients matched for age and sex and hospitalized in the same hospital during the same period. RESULTS: Sixty patients were included (mean age: 83 years old). Myelodysplastic syndrome subtypes were refractory anemia with excessive blasts (52%), refractory anemia (43%) and sideroblastic anemia (5%). Fourteen cases of systemic manifestations were reported in group I (23%) and five in the controls (4%) (P < 0.0001). Systemic manifestations in group I included vasculitis in six cases (42%), polyarthritis in three cases (21%), systemic amyloidosis AA in two cases (14%), relapsing polychondritis in one case, pyoderma gangrenosum in one case and celiac disease associated with a systemic granulomatosis in one case. In the controls, vasculitis was present in four cases and polyarthritis in one. Median age at onset of myelodysplastic syndrome was not influenced by the association with systemic disorders which, in return, have not influenced the myelodysplastic syndromes' subtypes. Myelodysplastic syndromes succeeded to systemic manifestations in 71.4% of cases and could not be attributed to immunosuppressive therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The association of myelodysplastic syndromes with systemic manifestations seems not to be casual. It raises the hypothesis of a primitive immunological disorder in both diseases. Moreover, the description of two cases of systemic amyloidosis and one case of pyoderma gangrenosum might suggest an additional disorder of macrophages or granular cells.

Age of Onset↗

Presence of granulocytic ehrlichia in ticks and serological evidence of human infection in La Rioja, Spain.

In order to estimate the risks of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) in an endemic area for Lyme disease in the North of Spain (La Rioja), we collected and investigated by PCR specific to the E. phagocytophila group DNA, a total of 6870 Ixodes ricinus ticks. We also used an indirect immunofluorescence (IFI) test to study the presence of antibodies to the HGE agent in 147 human serum samples including patients with Lyme disease (LD), forestry workers, and persons with history of previous tick bite. Fifty serum samples from healthy people resident in urban areas and with no history of tick-bite disorder and without tick exposure were used as controls. Four of 76 adults and 49 of 203 nymphs pools carried E. phagocytophila DNA. This result, and the finding of 1.4% of sera reacting in the IFI test confirms that this tick-borne agent is present in La Rioja, and that humans show evidence of contact with it. HGE should be considered in the differential diagnosis of flu-like syndromes in the study area in the north of Spain.

Animals↗

[Wegener's disease and central diabetes insipidus].

Vasculitis with central diabetes insipidus is a rare condition which must be recognized for proper management. We report a case of Wegener's granulomatosis with diabetes insipidus and review the literature concerning the clinical and radiological features of this association. We examined the data supporting the efficacy of cyclophosphamide in diabetes insipidus. Diabetes insipidus is inaugural in 46% of cases. Wegener's granulomatosis has no distinctive features when associated with diabetes insipidus. MR imaging reveals an enlargement of the posterior pituitary in 100% of cases. Cyclophosphamide is effective in 80% of cases. In Wegener's granulomatosis, pituitary vasculitis is a rare condition. MR imaging is the most accurate method for pituitary exploration. Cyclophosphamide is effective in the treatment of vasculitis lesions in Wegener's granulomatosis.

Aged↗