Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

I Varsano

Publications and source records attributed to I Varsano.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1977

Severe disseminated adenovirus infection successfully treated with a thymic humoral factor, THF.

Adenovirus and other usually benign viral infections may occasionally be associated with severe fulminant disease, often accompanied by acute acquired cellular immunodeficiency. Thymic humoral factor derived from calf thymuses has been demonstrated to have the capacity to restore the immunocompetence of immature, incompetent T cells. This factor was used in the treatment of a 3 1/2-year-old boy who was critically ill with an adenovirus infection and presented evidence of immunocellular deficiency. Within less than 48 hours after the institution of treatment with thymic humoral factor there was a dramatic, progressive clinical improvement, with restoration of the cellular immunocompetence. It is suggested that thymic humoral factor may be beneficial in the treatment of severe viral infections associated with depressed cellular immunocompetence.

Adenoviridae Infections↗
PubMed1977

Thymic hormone (THF) therapy in immunosuppressed children with lymphoproliferative neoplasia and generalized varicella.

Four children with lymphoproliferative malignant disease, two with acute lymphocytic leukemia in remission and two with Hodgkin's disease, were treated with a Thymic Hormone, THF, for disseminated varicella infecition. It is suggested that THF increased significantly the number of peripheral blood lymphocytes and T-rosette forming lymphocytes in 3 out of 4 children, who developed the varicella at the time of impaired cellular immunity. On the other hand, in the fourth child, with Hodgkin's disease, who had a normal number of T-rosettes, a decreased absolute number of lymphocytes as well as T-rosettes was observed over a course of 14 days THF treatment, although the percent of T-cells has not changed significantly. All of the four children recovered, including the child who was at high risk, with a marked lymphopenia, severe bilateral pneumonitis, hepatitis secondary infected skin lesions and psudomonas sepsis. It is indicated that THF therapy may restore the depressed cellular immunity in immunosuppressed children with malignant disease, and has its value as a supportive immunotherapy in life-threatening disseminated varicella infection.

Chickenpox↗
PubMed1976

Multiple bladder filling defects in children with cystitis.

Two children with cystitis presented with multiple filling defects in the urinary bladder. They were proven to be cases of cystitis glandularis with proliferative changes of the bladder epithelium. The radiographic findings are described and the differential diagnosis from neoplasms is outlined.

Child↗
PubMed1976

Reconstitution of T cell function in patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis treated with thymus humoral factor.

Two patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) showed impairment of cell-mediated immunity, as indicated by a low T cell number, decreased intracellular cyclic AMP levels of peripheral blood lymphocytes, negative graft-vs.-host reaction in vivo, negative skin reactions to common antigens and, in one of the patients, abnormal reactions in migration inhibition factor tests. Since some of the impaired T cell functions in one of the patients were reconstituted in vitro by the administration of thymus humoral factor (THF), a thymic hormone shown in an earlier study to regulate maturation of T lymphocytes in in vitro and in vivo animal models, a course of THF administration was given to both patients in this study. In vitro and in vivo assays, which reflect T cell competence, were performed before and after a daily schedule of THF administration that lasted for 10 days in one patient and 21 days in the other. The results of this preliminary trial suggested that THF was capable of reconstituting the impaired T cell functions in both patients after a short term of treatment. These preliminary results should encourage additional long-term therapeutic trials with THF in SSPE patients with impaired cell-mediated immunity.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Cricopharyngeal achalasia associated with congenital suprabulbar paresis.

A case of congenital suprabulbar paresis is reported. The associated severe dysphagia which presented soon after birth was shown by radiographic and cineradiographic studies to be due to cricopharyngeal achalasia. During four years of follow-up a clear tendency to spontaneous improvement was seen. It is therefore suggested that the condition may have a favorable outcome without resorting to surgical intervention.

Bulbar Palsy, Progressive↗
PubMed1975

Inflammatory processes mimicking bladder tumors in children.

Tumor-like proliferative lesions were discovered on cystourethrography and cystoscopy in two children, one with severe bacterial urinary tract infection and the other with painless terminal hematuria. Histologically, these lesions were characterized by inflammatory infiltration and proliferative changes of the bladder epithelium. Appropriate treatment, including antibiotics, resulted in complete disappearance of the bladder lesions in both patients. The development of such lesions is related to the potential for nonneoplastic proliferation and metaplasia of the bladder epithelium and is considered to be the result of irritation associated with infection or other chemical and physical factors. The known malignant potential of such bladder pathology indicates a need for careful, long-term follow-up in such patients, including children.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1975

The parachute mitral valve complex. Case report and review of the literature.

A 10-month-old infant, the youngest patient thus far reported to have undergone successful correction of the developmental complex known as "parachute mitral valve," is presented. Severe mitral incompetence and aortic coarctation led to recurrent cardiac failure. Both anomalies were corrected in a one-stage procedure wherein the coarctation was resected under normothermia and the mitral valve replaced thereafter by a prosthesis employing deep hypothermia and total circulatory arrest. He made an uneventful recovery. Forty-two reported cases in the literature are reviewed and the pathologic and clinical features, diagnosis, natural history, and management briefly summarized.

Aortic Coarctation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Lymphedema as a presenting sign of toxocariasis.

Toxocariasis in children is usually an asymptomatic infection and those with clinical illness have non-specific systemic or local manifestations. We present a 24-month-old boy with bilateral lymphedema of the feet as the main clinical manifestation of toxocariasis. The child presented with limping and nonpitting edema of both feet. Laboratory investigation revealed leucocytosis of < 20,000/mm3 with a differential count of < 50% eosinophils. No other cause of edema was found. The ELISA for toxocariasis revealed a high titer of > or = 1:4,096. The limping and the lymphedema disappeared during the third week of his illness. We suggest that toxocariasis should be considered as a possible cause of lymphedema and eosinophilia in young children.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Primary herpes simplex virus type 1 gingivostomatitis in pediatric personnel.

Herpetic gingivostomatitis is common in young children, but primary oral infection has also been described in adults. Herpetic whitlow as an occupational hazard of medical personnel has been well documented. Four cases of primary herpetic gingivostomatitis are reported in two pediatricians and two pediatric nurses who contracted the infection in their fourth decade of life. All suffered from sore throat and fever as presenting symptoms. Correct diagnosis was delayed for 4-5 days. In conclusion, pediatric personnel with pharyngitis and a negative history of herpetic gingivostomatitis or herpes labialis should bear the possibility of oral HSV infection in mind. Early diagnosis is essential to prevent the spread of the infection to their patients.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cutaneous manifestations of Henoch-Schönlein purpura in young children.

We evaluated the anatomic distribution and pattern of skin involvement in 155 pediatric patients with Henoch-Schönlein purpura treated in our center over the last 20 years. Of these, 120 (77.4%) presented with cutaneous signs; only 10% of them had no leg involvement. Seven patients (4.5%) had edema of the hands, feet, or face. The mean age of this subgroup was 9.2+/-2.2 months, compared to 6.8+/-2.3 years for the entire group (p < 0.05). Skin biopsies were performed in 18 of these patients, including the 7 with edema, to confirm the clinical diagnosis. All biopsy specimens showed leukocytoclastic vasculitis, with IgA deposits in two and C3 deposits in one. It is important that clinicians keep in mind that an atypical presentation of Henoch-Schönlein purpura is not unusual.

Biopsy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The natural history of primary herpes simplex type 1 gingivostomatitis in children.

Herpetic gingivostomatitis is the most common specific clinical manifestation of primary herpes simplex infection in childhood. The aim of the present study was to describe the clinical signs, symptoms, viral shedding, serologic findings, and complications in community-acquired gingivostomatitis. We prospectively followed children with herpes simplex type 1 gingivostomatitis lasting less than 72 hours. Clinical examination and viral culture were repeated every 2 to 3 days as long as symptoms or signs persisted. Thirty-six children (ages 12-77 months) were included in the study. Mean duration of oral lesions was 12.0+/-3.4 days; extraoral lesions (in 26 children), 12.0 +/-3.9 days; fever, 4.4+/-2.4 days; and eating/drinking difficulties, 9.1+/-3.0 and 7.1+/-3.1 days, respectively. In all children, viral cultures of the oral lesions were positive for herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1; viral shedding persisted for a mean of 7.1+/-2.5 days (range 2-12 days). The main complications were dehydration, with three children hospitalized for intravenous rehydration, and one case of secondary bacteremia. Herpetic gingivostomatitis is a relatively severe manifestation of primary HSV type 1 infection in young children.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Occurrence of supernumerary nipples in children with kidney and urinary tract malformations.

The reported data on the association of kidney and urinary tract malformations with supernumerary nipples are contradictory. We examined 200 children, ages 1 month-16 years, who were being followed because of recurrent urinary tract infection for supernumerary nipples. The patients were divided into two groups: those who were found to have urinary tract malformations on radiographic studies (n=92) and those who were not (n=108). All children were examined for any abnormal pigmentation along the milk line, and the entire body was examined for ectopic supernumerary nipples. Two of the children with proved urinary tract pathology and two of the children with no urinary tract pathology had supernumerary nipples. The odds ratio for having supernumerary nipples among the first group was 1.18 (95% CI: 0.084-16.53, p=0.627). Our results indicate no association between kidney and urinary tract malformations and supernumerary nipples. We believe the message to the practicing physician is that there is no need for radiographic or ultrasonographic investigation of the urinary tract in asymptomatic children found to have supernumerary nipples on routine physical examination.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗