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Biomedical subjects

I Potasman

Publications and source records attributed to I Potasman.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

A new rapid and sensitive bioluminescence assay for antibiotics that inhibit protein synthesis.

A new sensitive, rapid and simple bioluminescence assay for antibiotics inhibiting protein synthesis is described. In this assay the ability of the tested antibiotic to inhibit the de novo synthesis of the enzymes participating in the bacterial luminescence system is determined by means of a dark variant of a luminous bacterium that undergoes prompt induction of the luminescence system with certain DNA-intercalating agents. Upon induction, the in vivo luminescence of the dark variant is increased more than 50-fold within 30 min. Antibiotics that block the de novo synthesis of protein limit the development of luminescence at a level that was found to be a function of the antibiotic concentration. The minimum detectable concentration of antibiotics in the bioluminescence test, after 45-60 min of incubation, was 0.1 microgram/ml for streptomycin, gentamicin, kanamycin, lincomycin and chloramphenicol and 0.3 microgram/ml for neomycin, clindamycin and spectinomycin. The new bioluminescence test has been used to assay these antibiotics in serum.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Multiple tendon rupture in systemic lupus erythematosus: case report and review of the literature.

Tendon rupture in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a rare complication that appears to occur in patients receiving corticosteroid therapy. A case is presented with sequential bilateral rupture of Achilles tendon and unilateral rupture of a patellar tendon. Six more published cases are reviewed. Tendon rupture in SLE has affected both males and females between the ages of 24 and 63 years. It occurred exclusively in the weight-bearing tendons: in 6 instances the patellar tendon was severed, in 2 the Achilles, and in one the quadriceps. All 7 patients were on corticosteroid therapy at or just before the time of injury. The deleterious effect of this treatment in loosening connective tissue is discussed.

Achilles Tendon↗

Primary ventricular fibrillation complicating acute myocardial infarction: an assessment of predictability and prognosis.

In order to identify patients with a high risk of developing primary ventricular fibrillation (PVF) following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and to examine the prognostic significance of this arrhythmia, 46 patients who developed PVF were compared to a group of 80 patients who had AMI without PVF. A computerized, multivariate discriminant analysis identified several significant correlates of PVF. Higher rates of hypokalemia, complete left bundle branch block, 3rd-degree AV block and a lower frequency of diabetes were found in the PVF group. No difference was found with respect to the frequency of warning arrhythmias. A discriminant function constructed on the basis of the significant variables had a 4.3% false-negative rate in predicting PVF. Recurrent ventricular fibrillation occurred in nine patients, four of whom died. In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in the PVF than in the control group. As PVF is associated, in part, with treatable derangements and increased mortality, every endeavor should be made to prevent its occurrence.

Aged↗

Pyomyositis of the thigh due to Prevotella melaninogenica.

Pyomyositis is an uncommon infection in temperate climates, however, it is being more frequently reported among patients with diabetes or malignancy, or those who are immunocompromised. It is predominantly caused by Staphylococcus aureus, and rarely by Bacteroides species. Pyomyositis due to Prevotella melaninogenica has not previously been reported. We describe an elderly patient with pyomyositis of the thigh due to P. melaninogenica which was successfully treated by surgical incision and drainage in combination with metronidazole therapy.

Aged↗

Postpartum maternal group B streptococcal meningitis.

Maternal group B streptococcal (GBS) meningitis is rare, with only four cases previously reported in the literature. In this review a fifth case of postpartum GBS meningitis is presented. The five cases are compared with 34 cases of GBS meningitis in nonparturient adults. All cases of maternal GBS meningitis followed a vaginal delivery. The mean age of patients who had GBS meningitis outside the perinatal setting was 55 years, and most of these individuals had associated illnesses or frank immunosuppression; the mortality rate in this group was 23%. In contrast, all five patients with maternal GBS meningitis recovered. The case presented herein, like the four previous cases, illustrates the point that when patients with maternal GBS meningitis are treated immediately and have been healthy before the infection, the prognosis is good.

Adult↗

Candida sepsis in pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Colonization of the vagina by Candida is common during pregnancy, while candida sepsis in pregnancy is rare. A case of candida sepsis complicating an abortion prompted us to review seven additional cases that occurred during pregnancy or the postpartum period. In four women candidemia developed during pregnancy or following abortion, while in the other four it developed postpartum. Seven women had an apparent predisposing factor, such as antibiotic treatment or an intrauterine device. The clinical course was difficult in four patients and ended in death in three instances. Both amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine proved effective for treatment.

Abortion, Septic↗

Brucellosis: an unusual diagnosis for a seronegative patient with abscesses, osteomyelitis, and ulcerative colitis.

A 16-year-old girl developed multiple subcutaneous abscesses, osteomyelitis, and severe colitis. On the patient's second admission, a single blood culture--and, subsequently, a specimen of pus--yielded Brucella melitensis biovar 1. A second set of serologic tests, including the rose bengal test, the standard tube agglutination test, the CF test, and Coombs' test, were all negative for Brucella on the patient's second admission and 1 month later. However, a lymphocyte proliferation assay with extracted antigen of Brucella was markedly positive. Thus, this case illustrates that patients with B. melitensis infection may have a unique clinical presentation and that the lymphocyte proliferation assay is an important diagnostic tool for patients whose serologic test results are negative but for whom brucellosis is suspected.

Abscess↗