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Biomedical subjects

H Newton-John

Publications and source records attributed to H Newton-John.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1989

Guillain-Barré syndrome and related conditions in Victorian teaching hospitals 1980-84.

Cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome, its variants, and chronic inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy presenting during the period 1980-84 were identified through computer-based record systems. Case notes were examined, and cases that did not meet standard criteria for diagnosis were excluded. A hundred and ten patients were identified, giving an annual adult incidence rate of 0.9/100,000 and a male:female ratio of 1.3:1. The majority of cases developed severe tetraparesis, but unusual presentations included the Miller-Fisher variant, paraplegia, and bibrachial involvement. There was wide variation in peak disability, ranging from ambulant with weakness (32%), through bedfast but without significant respiratory involvement (29%), to respiratory involvement requiring admission to an intensive care unit (38%). Of those discharged directly home, the average hospital stay for those less than 50 years was 27 days, whilst that for those over 50 was 49 days. CSF protein was measured in 87 patients, and was greater than or equal to 0.6 g/L in 76% of these. Nerve conduction studies were performed in 52 patients, and were abnormal in 90% of these. Guillain-Barré syndrome and allied conditions represent a major drain on health resources, and the need to provide adequate plasmapheresis facilities for patients early in the course of severe disease is stressed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Campylobacter jejuni/Campylobacter coli-associated Guillain-Barré syndrome. Immunoblot confirmation of the serological response.

Immunoblot (Western blot) examination of the sera of 45 patients with the Guillain-Barré syndrome demonstrated that between three and five immunoreactive bands that were characteristic of a recent Campylobacter jejuni/Campylobacter coli infection were present in 22 of these patients. The immunoblots paralleled the serological response that is found in campylobacter enteritis and confirmed the specificity of our previous enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), which indicates that antecedent C. jejuni/C. coli infection is common in patients with the Guillain-Barré syndrome. We postulate that, under certain circumstances, demyelination is initiated by the leakage of campylobacter-specific antibody across the blood-nerve barrier.

Campylobacter Infections↗
PubMed1987

Lung function after pertussis.

The relationship between pertussis infection and subsequent abnormalities of pulmonary function is not clear. Thirty subjects (16 male, 14 female) aged 14.3 years (s.e.m. = 1.9) were studied who had been hospitalized with culture-proven pertussis when less than 6 months of age. Details of respiratory symptoms in the subjects and their families were obtained. Standard spirometry, lung volumes by body plethysmography, maximum flows at low lung volumes and histamine challenges were performed. Nine of 30 (30%) subjects were symptomatic with a history of recurrent cough and wheeze while 11 of 30 (37%) had abnormal pulmonary function tests. Seven of nine symptomatic subjects had abnormal pulmonary function including positive histamine challenges. Twenty-one per cent had a family history of asthma. This study indicates that children hospitalized in infancy with pertussis can subsequently be shown to have recurrent lower airways symptomatology and abnormal pulmonary function, but the incidence is not significantly higher than a control group from the same socio-economic background.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Clinical signs of AIDS.

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Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1986

Varicella.

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Adult↗
PubMed1986

Measles.

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Child↗
PubMed1986

Rubella.

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Female↗
PubMed1986

Herpes zoster.

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Herpes Zoster↗
PubMed1986

Herpes simplex.

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Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Prevention of pulmonary complications in severe Guillain-Barré syndrome by early assisted ventilation.

Sixty-seven patients with acute polyneuritis (Guillain-Barré syndrome) who required assisted ventilation (AV) were studied to determine the effect of early initiation of AV on the development of pulmonary complications in the subsequent week. Of 67 patients, 57 had ultimately a very low vital capacity (VC) of the lungs (less than 15 mL/kg) and, therefore, had disease of comparable severity. These were divided retrospectively into those in whom AV was started before their VC fell below 15 mL/kg ("early" group) and those who received AV only after their VC was 15 mL/kg or lower ("late" group). The development of lung abnormalities demonstrated on chest x-rays was compared in the two groups. Patients in the "early" group were less likely to develop pulmonary complications than those in the "late" group (P less than 0.0005). The beneficial effect of early AV was even greater if it was begun when the VC was higher than 25 mL/kg. The early initiation of AV in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome and progressive respiratory paralysis reduces the risk of pulmonary complications.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1984

Factors predisposing to abnormal pulmonary function after adenovirus type 7 pneumonia.

Adenoviruses are well known causes of respiratory illness in children. Long term sequelae reported with types 3, 7, and 21 include bronchiolitis obliterans, bronchiectasis, and the hyperlucent lung or McLeod syndrome. Twenty children admitted to hospital with adenovirus type 7 pneumonia between 1960 and 1978 were studied and compared with 20 controls admitted during the same period with adenovirus type 7 upper respiratory tract infections. Sixty five per cent of the pneumonia group had developed evidence of airways obstruction compared with 10% of controls. Young age at the time of pneumonia and a 'measles-like' illness before its onset increase the chance of developing long term pulmonary function abnormalities. Sex and family history of smoking or atopy do not influence outcome.

Adenoviridae Infections↗
PubMed1979

Value of latex test in cryptococcal meningitis.

The history of a man suffering from chronic cryptococcal meningitis is presented. A series of cerebrospinal fluid and serum specimens from this patient were investigated retrospectively by latex agglutination for the presence of cryptococcal antigens. The results were related to other laboratory findings, and to the patient's clinical progress. The cryptococcal latex agglutination test was shown to be potentially useful in the diagnosis, management, and prognosis of such patients.

Adult↗