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Biomedical subjects

J Couvreur

Publications and source records attributed to J Couvreur.

101 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

[Fetal toxoplasmosis. In utero treatment with pyrimethamine sulfamides].

The mothers of 52 cases of toxoplasmic fetopathy diagnosed in utero by fetal blood and/or amniotic fluid sampling were treated with the combination pyrimethamine-sulfadiazine (or sulfisoxazole) and by spiramycine. The infants were compared with 51 other infants with congenital toxoplasmosis whose mothers had received spiramycine alone. Patients of both groups received the same pyrimethamine-sulfadiazine and spiramycine treatment after birth. Parasitologic examination of the placenta was positive in 42 and 76.6% of patients, in group I and group II respectively. The newborns had specific IgM in 17.4 and 69.2% of cases respectively in both groups. These differences were significant. The mean specific IgG titer was significantly reduced at birth and 4 to 6 months of age in the first group. Patients in group I had more often subclinical infection than patients of the comparison group: 57% vs 33.3%. They had less often a high cerebro-spinal protein content during the first week. Prenatal treatment with pyrimethamine-sulfadrugs resulted in a less progressing infection at birth. However in cases with clinically patent toxoplasmosis, the frequency of overt localizations and their sequellae was not significantly altered. This might be related to a relatively late onset of the treatment. The pyrimethamine-sulfadrug combination given to mothers of proved infected fetuses can be rewarding. The indication might be extended to well-documented seroconverted mothers if, in the future, the acquired experience and necessary pharmacological studies bring the proof of its innocuousness.

Drug Therapy, Combination↗

[Tracheal dyskinesia (tracheomalacia) in infants and children. Study of 127 cases diagnosed through endoscopic examination (author's transl)].

127 cases of tracheal dyskinesia were seen in infants and children out of which 87 were 1 to 12 months of age. The diagnosis was based on the existence of a collapse reducing the tracheal diameter of more than 50% on endoscopy. Endoscopic examination was performed without general anesthesia. This material represents 5,8% of the patients submitted to this procedure. 85 patients had "primitive" dyskinesia and 42 had major associated abnormalities. Uni or bilateral bronchial dyskinesia was associated in 43% of the cases. The four commonest presenting symptoms were a stridulous or wheezing respiration, recurrent bronchitis, chronic cough, cyanosis. The frequency of associated digestive troubles: gastroesophageal reflux aspiration was noteworthy. Several functional consequences were encountered: hypoxemia, hypercapnia, abnormalities of FRC, increased RL, lowering of dynamic compliance, alterations of perfusion and ventilation on scintiscans. The prognosis was good in primitive cases. Two deaths occurred, in the group with associated abnormalities. The pattern of the patient with primitive dyskinesia and that of the patient with dyskinesia and associated abnormalities are outlined. Some features remarkable in this series of patients are pointed out in a discussion of the pathophysiology of the syndrome. Increased transmural pressure is not a common cause of tracheal dyskinesia and infection as well. The possibility of a temporary intrinsic anomaly of the tracheal wall is suggested. Even if its exact mechanism remains unknown, tracheal dyskinesia is a distinct entity observed in infants and children. It appears as a common cause of recurrent bronchopulmonary disease in the young.

Adolescent↗

[Pulmonary and systemic vascular abnormalities of the right lung in children].

Three children presenting with vascular abnormalities of the right lungs are reported. Clinical symptoms were not specific. Total lack of perfusion associated with normal ventilation at pulmonary scintiscanning was highly suggestive. Diagnosis was confirmed by pulmonary catheterism and angiography. The congenital or acquired nature of these abnormalities is not established. Development of pulmonary arterial hypertension during follow-up may need pneumonectomy.

Adolescent↗