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Biomedical subjects

H Peltola

Publications and source records attributed to H Peltola.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Algorithms for the search of amino acid patterns in nucleic acid sequences.

Some algorithms are described for the search of regions in a nucleic acid sequence that, when translated into amino acids, are homologous to a given amino acid pattern. All algorithms are modifications of the dynamic programming method for sequence comparison such that the translation of codons is taken into account. One of the algorithms has been implemented as a FORTRAN 77 program. The program operates on files that follow the format of the EMBL Nucleotide Sequence Data Library.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1986

An infant with simultaneous beta-lactamase-positive Haemophilus influenzae meningitis and beta-lactamase-negative H. influenzae septicemia, Escherichia coli pyelonephritis and herpes encephalitis.

We describe an infant with meningitis and septicemia due to infection with two different strains of Haemophilus influenzae, with a urinary tract infection due to Escherichia coli and in whom herpes virus encephalitis was diagnosed within three days. Acinetobacter calcoaceticus septicemia developed three weeks later. No immunological deficiency could be demonstrated in the patient who recovered finally, albeit with sequelae due to encephalitis.

Acinetobacter Infections↗
PubMed1986

C reactive protein in the evaluation of febrile illness.

We studied prospectively 154 febrile children to determine the diagnostic value of the quantitative serum C reactive protein concentrations (CRP). Children with acute otitis media, acute tonsillitis, or treated with antibiotics during the two previous weeks and infants less than 2 months of age were excluded. Ninety seven children were from private paediatric practice and 57 were patients who had been admitted to hospital. The comparison group consisted of 75 children with confirmed bacterial infections whose CRP values were recorded retrospectively. In the study group 35 (23%) children had a confirmed viral infection, 92 (59%) had a probable viral infection as judged from the clinical picture and outcome of the illness, and 27 (18%) had a bacterial or probable bacterial infection. When the duration of the disease was more than 12 hours and the CRP value less than 20 mg/l, all children had a confirmed or probable viral infection. Nine children (one from the study group and eight from the comparison group) were found to have a septic infection and a CRP value of 20 mg/l or less. In all these cases, however, the duration of the symptoms was less than 12 hours. In addition CRP less than or equal to 20 mg/l was found in five (14%) children with urinary tract infection in the comparison group. CRP values of 20-40 mg/l were recorded in children with both viral and bacterial infections. A CRP value greater than or equal to 40 mg/l detected 79% of bacterial infections with 90% specificity. Our data show that determination of serum CRP concentrations is a valuable tool in evaluating children who have been ill for more than 12 hours.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Cerebrospinal fluid white cell, glucose and protein changes during the treatment of Haemophilus influenzae meningitis.

298 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples obtained from 116 children with ongoing Haemophilus influenzae meningitis were analyzed in order to determine the kinetics of the white blood cell (WBC) count and the glucose and protein concentrations--parameters for which there are no "reference values" available for the convalescence period of meningitis. The values determined during the first 10 days of treatment are presented as percentile distribution graphs. CSF WBC counts increased slightly for the first 24 h but declined thereafter without reaching, however, the normal value (less than or equal to 5/microliter) within 10 days in the majority of cases. Low CSF glucose concentrations usually increased to a normal or almost normal level within 48 h. CSF protein concentrations declined steadily throughout the treatment. Extremely high CSF WBC or low CSF glucose concentrations suggested neurological complications or treatment failure. The value of sequentially determined CSF WBC, glucose and protein in monitoring recovery from H. influenzae meningitis is, however, so vague that routine spinal taps do not seem indicated after CSF has become sterilized.

Ampicillin↗
PubMed1986

C-reactive protein compared with white blood cell count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children.

Acute abdominal symptoms in 162 children were investigated with rapidly quantified C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell (WBC) count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) as laboratory parameters. When the symptoms had been present for at least 12 hours, the CRP level was greater than 10 mg/l in 72% of cases with histologic evidence of appendicitis, while leukocytosis (WBC greater than 15 000/mm3) and raised ESR (greater than 20 mm/l h) were found in 58% and 51%, respectively. If appendicitis had progressed to gangrenous stage, however, CRP alone was capable of identifying 83% of cases, while 76% had leukocytosis and 60% elevated ESR. When perforation had occurred there was greatly increased CRP and invariably leukocytosis, but elevated ESR in only 60%. With the combination CRP and WBC count (using rise in one or both), 88% of all appendicitis cases could be identified, and at least 96% of those with gangrene or perforation. The predictive value of combined positive CRP and WBC tests was not less than 93%.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1985

Antibody levels achieved in infants by course of Haemophilus influenzae type B polysaccharide/diphtheria toxoid conjugate vaccine.

A Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) capsular polysaccharide (polyribosylribitol phosphate, PRP)/diphtheria toxoid (D) conjugate vaccine was given to 71 infants. The level of anti-PRP antibody believed to predict long-term protection, 1.0 microgram/ml, was reached in 50% of the infants who were vaccinated at 3, 5, and 7 months, and in 57% of the infants who received PRP-D at 7 and 9 months of age. A lower level of antibody, 0.15 micrograms/ml, which has been associated with protection at the time of assay, was reached in 92% and 87% of the two groups. Thus, the seroresponse was dependent upon both the frequency of immunisation and age of the infant. Comparison of these results with previous experience with PRP immunisation in Finland showed that PRP-D induced substantial antibody rises at an earlier age than did PRP.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1985

Serum C-reactive protein as detector of pretreated childhood bacterial meningitis.

Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured at presentation to the hospital in 15 children with proven bacterial meningitis (BM) pretreated with antibiotics. CRP exceeded the upper normal limit of 19 mg/l in all cases; the mean value was 195 mg/l (range, 55 to 375 mg/l). On the other hand, CRP levels were normal in 12 patients with viral meningitis or meningoencephalitis. Rapid determination of serum CRP should be performed whenever BM is suspected.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1985

Evaluation of two tetravalent (ACYW135) meningococcal vaccines in infants and small children: a clinical study comparing immunogenicity of O-acetyl-negative and O-acetyl-positive group C polysaccharides.

Two different tetravalent polysaccharide vaccines against group A, C, Y, and W135 meningococci were given to 118 infants aged 6 to 23 months; the same vaccines were administered in a second dose 12 months later to those infants aged 6 to 11 months at first vaccination. Forty of the infants received vaccine containing the nonacetylated group C polysaccharide C(OAc-) and 78 the acetylated group C polysaccharide C(OAc+) together with group A, Y, and W135 polysaccharides. All polysaccharides, at a dose of 30 micrograms, induced antibody responses after administration of both vaccines in all age groups although the responses were better in the older infants. Acetylation of the sialic acid of the group C polysaccharide did not significantly influence the response. Rapid decreases in the antibody titers after the first vaccination stressed the need for one or more revaccinations. Vaccination elicited mild local and systemic reactions. Elevated temperatures were more common in the youngest infants but only four developed fever exceeding 38.5 degrees C (101.3 degrees F). We conclude that tetravalent (ACYW135) meningococcal vaccine is safe and immunologically effective in children younger than age 2 years. However, revaccinations may be required to maintain immunity.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1984

Prevention of Hemophilus influenzae type b bacteremic infections with the capsular polysaccharide vaccine.

A long-term follow-up of approximately 50,000 children who received the Hemophilus influenzae type b capsular polysaccharide vaccine in 1974 at three months to five years of age has shown good protective efficacy in those who received the vaccine at 18 months or older. No adverse effects were observed. Analysis of paired serum samples from 514 vaccinated children showed that effective immunization with this vaccine could be performed after but not before the age of 16 to 20 months. An analysis of 956 bacteremic H. influenzae infections occurring in Finland over a period of five years showed that 94 per cent of all cases were in children under 10 years of age. Of these, 40 per cent occurred in children under 18 months, and 60 per cent in children between the ages of 1 1/2 and 9 years. These 60 per cent are potentially preventable with the capsular polysaccharide vaccine.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1984

SEQAID: a DNA sequence assembling program based on a mathematical model.

A program package, called SEQAID, to support DNA sequencing is presented. The program automatically assembles long DNA sequences from short fragments with minimal user interaction. Various tools for controlling the assembling process are also available. The main novel features of the system are that SEQAID implements several new well-behaved algorithms based on a mathematical model of the problem. It also utilizes available information on restriction fragments to detect illegitimate overlaps and to find relationships between separately assembled sequence blocks. Experiences with the system are reported including an extremely pathological real sequence which offers an interesting benchmark for this kind of programs.

Base Sequence↗