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Biomedical subjects

H W Horowitz

Publications and source records attributed to H W Horowitz.

61 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Low-dose intermittent trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for prevention of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

The important role of chemoprophylaxis for the prevention of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV)-infected patients is undisputed. The most cost-effective regimen, however, is unknown. We reviewed our experience at two hospitals in the New York City area in which low-dose, intermittent therapy with the combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole was used to prevent PCP in HIV-infected patients. During a total of 202 months of primary prophylaxis in 32 patients and 319 months of secondary prophylaxis in 35 patients, PCP was diagnosed only once. More than 80% of patients were receiving zidovudine concomitantly. Adverse reactions to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole occurred in 31% and 52% of those receiving primary or secondary prophylaxis, respectively. When those patients who were considered ineligible to receive trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis (principally based on a prior adverse drug reaction) are also factored in, then approximately 50% of HIV-infected patients are candidates for long-term trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis. The projected cost savings of this prophylaxis regimen, compared with those currently recommended by the US Public Health Service, are enormous.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Serratia plymuthica sepsis associated with infection of central venous catheter.

Serratia plymuthica was isolated from the blood and from a central venous catheter tip in a 54-year-old man with alcoholic cirrhosis and clinical signs of sepsis. This was the seventh reported isolate of S. plymuthica from a clinical specimen and the first in which the organism was clearly a significant pathogen.

Catheters, Indwelling↗

Fibrous myopathy in association with pentazocine.

Cutaneous complications of chronic parenteral narcotic use have been described. A 61-year-old man had severe joint restriction secondary to fibrous replacement of proximal muscles. Parenteral pentazocine lactate use was implicated in the cause of his condition.

Humans↗

Central catheter-related infections: comparison of pulmonary artery catheters and triple lumen catheters for the delivery of hyperalimentation in a critical care setting.

We prospectively studied the risk of catheter-related sepsis (CRS) in 75 critically ill patients who received total parenteral nutrition (TPN) through 158 pulmonary artery catheters (PACs) and 214 triple-lumen catheters (TLCs). We relied on semiquantitative cultures of the catheter tips, peripheral blood cultures in febrile patients and clinical response to catheter removal to diagnose catheter-related sepsis. The infection rate was 2.5% (4/158) of PACs and 6.5% (14/214) of TLCs (p = 0.124). Colonization rates were 29.1% for PACs and 32% for TLCs. PACs were left in place a significantly shorter length of time than TLCs, 3.1 vs 5.1 days (p less than 0.005). Guidewire exchanges and subclavian vein insertions were associated with a decreased rate of CRS when compared to new insertions and internal jugular vein insertions, respectively. We conclude that pulmonary artery catheters can be used safely for the delivery of hyperalimentation in critically ill patients with no increased risk for catheter-related sepsis compared to triple-lumen catheters. The use of the PAC in this manner allows for the use of a single central venous catheter for the delivery of hyperalimentation and hemodynamic monitoring.

Adult↗

Risk of hepatitis E infection to travelers.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV), previously referred to as enterically transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis, is a major cause of epidemic hepatitis and acute, sporadic hepatitis in endemic areas of the world. The existence of HEV was suspected based upon epidemiological grounds for many years. However, it was only in the early 1990s that confirmation occurred when two prototype strains of HEV from Burma and Mexico were sequenced.1-3 Outbreaks of HEV infection as well as sporadic transmission commonly occur in Asia, Africa, Central and South America, the Middle East, and the Republics of the former USSR. Southeast Asia seems to be a particularly high HEV endemic region. HEV is transmitted via the fecal-oral route, and contaminated drinking water is a common source of infection.4 Many of the large outbreaks have occurred after heavy rains and flooding.4 During interepidemic periods sporadic infections occur frequently. This suggests a constant environmental reservoir, allowing for transmission between epidemics. The existence of a zoonotic reservoir for the virus is likely. HEV has been detected in a number of species, including swine, rats, and chicken.

Adolescent↗