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Biomedical subjects

J F Meis

Publications and source records attributed to J F Meis.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Prevention of intra-abdominal abscesses and adhesions using a hyaluronic acid solution in a rat peritonitis model.

HYPOTHESIS: Hyaluronic acid (HA)-based bioresorbable membrane and 0.4% HA solution reduce intraabdominal adhesion and abscess formation in a rat peritonitis model. DESIGN: Randomized laboratory experiment. SETTING: A university hospital. INTERVENTIONS: In 72 male Wistar rats, a bacterial peritonitis was induced using the cecal ligation and puncture model. Animals were randomized to receive isotonic sodium chloride solution (group 1), HA-carboxymethylcellulose bioresorbable membrane (group 2), or 0.4% HA solution (group 3). Half of each group were killed at day 7 and half at day 21, and adhesions were scored in a blind fashion. The presence and sizes of intra-abdominal abscesses were noted. Cultures were taken for bacterial analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Intra-abdominal adhesions and abscesses. RESULTS: The median severity of adhesions was significantly lower in group 3 compared with group 1 rats at day 7 (II [range, I-IV] vs IV [range, I-IV], respectively; P=.02) and at day 21 (II [range, I-III vs IV [range, II-IV], respectively; P=.02). There was no significant difference between group 2 and group 1 rats on either day. At day 7, abscesses larger than 2 cm were found in 6 of 12 group 1 rats and in 4 of 12 group 2 rats, but in 0 of 11 group 3 rats (P=.01). At day 21, 0 of 11 group 3 rats had an intra-abdominal abscess, in contrast to 4 (33%) of 12 group 1 rats and 5 (45%) of 11 group 2 rats. All cultures of abscesses revealed polymicrobial flora. CONCLUSION: Adhesion and abscess formation are reduced using a 0.4% HA solution, and not HA-carboxymethylcellulose bioresorbable membrane, in a rat model of generalized bacterial peritonitis.

Abdominal Abscess↗
PubMed1999

Swelling of hand and forearm caused by Mycobacterium bovis.

A 75-year-old native Dutch farmer presented with a painless swelling of his right hand extending into his forearm, accompanied by general malaise and low grade fever. His medical history revealed coxitis tuberculosa in 1954 and injury of the same hand in 1978. His present swelling appeared to be caused by Mycobacterium bovis, probably due to endogenous reactivation. Whether the mycobacteria reached the hand hematogenously or were directly inoculated at the time of injury of his hand in 1978 remains unclear.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Nosocomial fungal infections: candidemia.

Candida species are frequently encountered as part of the human commensal flora. Colonization mostly precedes candidemia and is an independent risk factor for the development of candidemia. Genotyping methods showed the similarity between colonizing and infecting strains, thus making endogenous origin likely, though exogenous sources like total parenteral nutrition also have been described. Health care workers (HCWs) play an important role in the transmission of yeasts. Candida species are frequently isolated from the hands of HCWs and can be transmitted from hands to patients. Granulocytopenia and damage of the mucosal lining resulting from intensive chemotherapy due to cancer, the increasing use of broad spectrum antibiotics, and the use of intravenous catheters are other important risk factors for the development of candidemia. Candidemia is associated with a high mortality and prolonged hospitalization. Therefore, and because of the high frequency of dissemination, all candidemias should be treated. Amphotericin B was considered the standard drug for the systemic treatment of candidemia. Fluconazole has been shown to be an effective and safe alternative in non-neutropenic patients. 5-Fluorocytosine has been used in combination with amphotericin B in the treatment of deep-seated infections. Liposomal formulations of amphotericin B and other new antifungal drugs currently are under investigation. C. albicans is the most frequently isolated Candida species, although the proportion of infections caused by non-C. albicans species is increasing. Also, there are reports of development of resistance to amphotericin B. C. lusitaniae is known for primary resistance and the development of resistance to amphotericin B. Development of resistance to fluconazole is mainly seen in AIDS patients with recurrent oropharyngeal candidiasis who receive longer courses of therapy.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed1999

Increased susceptibility to systemic candidiasis in interleukin-6 deficient mice.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine that regulates multiple aspects of the innate immune response. It has been recently shown that endogenous IL-6 is crucial for an efficient defence against severe infections with Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of endogenous IL-6 in the defence against infection with the yeast Candida albicans. During experimental candidemia, IL-6 deficient mice (IL-6-/-) had a decreased survival and an increased fungal load in their organs when compared with IL-6+/+ controls, despite increased plasma concentrations of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) and IL-1 beta, IL-6-/- mice were not able to mount an efficient neutrophil response during the infection. When mice were rendered neutropenic by cyclophosphamide, neutropenic IL-6-/- mice were equally susceptible to C. albicans when compared to neutropenic IL-6+/+ mice, implying that neutrophils mediate the beneficial effect of endogenous IL-6. In conclusion, IL-6-/- mice are more susceptible to disseminated candidiasis, and the effect of IL-6 is most likely mediated by neutrophils.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Fas-FasL interactions modulate host defense against systemic Candida albicans infection.

Fas-FasL costimulation modulates the production of proinflammatory cytokines, and MRL/lpr mice, which lack a functional Fas molecule, produce more proinflammatory cytokines. This study found that Fas-FasL interactions are involved in host defense against lethal infection with Candida albicans. Macrophages of MRL/lpr mice produced significantly more tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1 after stimulation with C. albicans than did control MRL+/+ macrophages. Mortality of Fas-deficient mice with disseminated candidiasis was significantly lower than control animals' because of decreased fungal load and inhibition of the formation of invasive hyphae in their organs. Increased recruitment of neutrophils at the infection site appeared to be responsible for these effects. In contrast, phagocytosis and killing of C. albicans by neutrophils of MRL/lpr and MRL+/+ mice was similar. Absence of Fas-FasL interactions leads to increased cytokine production after C. albicans stimulation, protecting mice against disseminated candidiasis.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Infusion of lipoproteins into volunteers enhances the growth of Candida albicans.

Infusion of reconstituted high-density lipoproteins (rHDL) is being studied in clinical trials as an adjunctive therapy for gram-negative sepsis. Since no data are available on its possible effects in systemic candidiasis, we investigated the effect of rHDL infusion into volunteers on the growth of Candida albicans. C. albicans growth was 10- to 100-fold higher in the plasma of volunteers infused with 80 or 100 mg/kg rHDL than in plasma collected before infusion; administration of 60 mg/kg rHDL had marginal effects. In vitro, the isolated lipoprotein subfractions had a growth-promoting effect on C. albicans. These data suggest potential adverse effects of rHDL if infused into patients with systemic candidiasis. Thus, rHDL infusion into patients with sepsis caused by an unknown microorganism may be contraindicated.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Aspergillus meningitis: diagnosis by non-culture-based microbiological methods and management.

The performance of antibody detection, antigen detection, and Aspergillus genus-specific PCR for diagnosing Aspergillus meningitis was investigated with 26 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples obtained from a single patient with proven infection caused by Aspergillus fumigatus. Immunoglobulin G antibodies directed against Aspergillus were not detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in CSF or serum. The antigen galactomannan was detected in the CSF 45 days before a culture became positive, and Aspergillus DNA was detected 4 days prior to culture. Decline of the galactomannan antigen titer in the CSF during treatment with intravenous and intraventricular amphotericin B and intravenous voriconazole corresponded with the clinical response to treatment.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Invasive aspergillosis caused by Aspergillus ustus: case report and review.

A case of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in an allogeneic bone marrow transplant recipient caused by Aspergillus ustus is presented. A. ustus was also recovered from the hospital environment, which may indicate that the infection was nosocomially acquired. A literature review revealed seven cases of invasive infections caused by A. ustus, and three of these were primarily cutaneous infections. In vitro susceptibility testing of 12 A. ustus isolates showed that amphotericin B and terbinafine had fungicidal activity and that itraconazole and voriconazole had fungistatic activity.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Comparative study of seven commercial yeast identification systems.

AIMS: To compare the performance of seven commercial yeast identification methods with that of a reference method, and to compare the costs of the commercial kits. METHODS: Clinical yeast isolates (n = 52), comprising 19 species, were identified using Vitek, Api ID 32C, Api 20C AUX, Yeast Star, Auxacolor, RapID Yeast Plus system, and Api Candida and compared with a reference method which employed conventional tests. RESULTS: The percentage of correctly identified isolates varied between 59.6% and 80.8%. Overall, the highest performance was obtained with Api Candida (78.8%) and Auxacolor (80.8%). Among germ tube negative yeast isolates, Auxacolor and Api Candida both identified 93.1% of isolates correctly. All systems failed to identify C norvegensis, C catenulata, C haemulonii, and C dubliniensis. In comparison with Auxacolor, the Api Candida is less expensive and requires less bench time. CONCLUSIONS: Auxacolor and Api Candida appeared to be the most useful systems for identification of germ tube negative yeast isolates in clinical microbiology laboratories, although one should be aware that several germ tube negative Candida species cannot be identified by these systems.

Candida↗
PubMed1999

Voriconazole (Pfizer ltd).

Voriconazole is undergoing phase III trials by Pfizer as a potential treatment for resistant systemic aspergillosis, candidosis and other emerging fungal infections seen in immunocompromised patients [201603,320737]. The compound demonstrated efficacy in patients in whom amphotericin had failed to control infection [167646]. Voriconazole is effective and well-tolerated in the treatment of neutropenic patients with acute invasive aspergillosis [187877], non-neutropenic patients with chronic invasive aspergillosis [187878] and HIV patients with oropharyngeal candidiasis [187866]. Clinical efficacy in these trials was at least 69%. In vitro studies presented at the Ninth European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (Germany, 1999) showed the compound to be the most active in a series of comparator agents against certain Scedosporium species [320536]. Pfizer claims that the compound has an extended spectrum of activity compared to Diflucan. Voriconazole is claimed to be effective against yeast and mould infections and can thus be applied against infections of the eye and brain [322370]. In December 1998, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter predicted sales of US$60 million in 2001, rising to US$175 million in 2005 [315350].

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

[A very serious course of psittacosis in pregnancy].

A 33-year-old pregnant woman was admitted because of atypical pneumonia. She developed adult respiratory distress syndrome complicated by premature birth and perinatal mortality. The diagnosis 'psittacosis' was established on clinical grounds and confirmed serologically (complement fixation test). She was treated with doxycycline 200 mg i.v. daily for 3 weeks and was discharged in good condition after three months. Indirect case history revealed infected birds from the neighbours as the likely source of infection. Psittacosis is caused by Chlamydia psittaci and is acquired after inhalation of dry secreta or excreta from infected animals. Retrospective direct questioning often reveals contact with birds. Diagnostic delay can be considerable. Doxycycline is contraindicated in pregnant women, but erythromycine can be prescribed. Pregnant women should be advised to avoid contact with infected birds as they run an increased risk of a severe disease course.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Local expression of cytokine mRNA in spleen and Peyer's patches of rats is involved in resistance against infection with Yersinia enterocolitica.

The immune-response against infection with Yersinia enterocolitica was studied in a rat model which resembles yersiniosis in humans. Lewis, Fischer and Brown Norway rats were inoculated with Y. enterocolitica and the cytokine mRNA expression in spleen and Peyer's patches was determined. In Brown Norway rats the infection was mild and Yersinia enterocolitica was fully cleared. In these rats the highest anti-inflammatory cytokine expression was found probably resulting in a protective host defence against the infection. In both the Lewis and Fischer rats Y. enterocolitica persisted. The anti-inflammatory cytokine expression was less pronounced in these two rat strains. The authors conclude that progression of disease, persistence of infection and development of reactive arthritis, may be related to the local expression of specific cytokines.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Progress in fighting systemic fungal infections in haematological neoplasia.

Considering the limited data available, there is clearly a need for thorough, well-designed clinical research on the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of invasive fungal infection in patients who are treated for cancer. Our knowledge has increased, but the information obtained so far is patchy and not generally applicable, as it is influenced by local problems and circumstances. New diagnostic tools have become available, but they are still insufficient in many cases. Until the value of the presently available chemoprophylaxis has been established beyond doubt, the strategy should be one of wait-and-see for patients with a low or moderate risk of developing infection. In bone marrow transplant recipients fluconazole has shown favourable results in eliminating yeast infections, but in patients at high risk of mould infections early initiation of intravenous treatment with amphotericin B at a therapeutic dose remains the best approach. The question of the optimal time point to start empirical antifungal treatment remains and has even been extended by the dispute about what antifungal drugs should be used for this purpose. Amphotericin B is still the drug of choice for the treatment of disseminated fungal infection, but its lipid formulations seem to offer a safer, though far more expensive, alternative. Head-to-head comparisons between the different formulations are required before a final conclusion on their respective efficacies and toxicities can be drawn, and it is questionable whether a higher dose will produce better results. Fluconazole appears very useful against the majority of Candida infections, whereas itraconazole is effective against both yeast and moulds, providing that adequate resorption can be ensured. The results of the first clinical trial of voriconazole in pulmonary aspergillosis have proved very promising.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed1998

Delay in administering the first dose of antibiotics in patients admitted to hospital with serious infections.

The interval from the time of admission to the emergency room until the administration of antibiotics in patients presenting with a serious infectious disease was analysed. Fifty patients presumptively diagnosed in the emergency room as having a serious infection (respiratory tract, urinary tract, erysipelas, fever with neutropenia or bacteremia) needing immediate empirical antibiotic treatment were enrolled in the study. A median interval from time of admission to administration of antibiotics of 5 hours was determined (range 0.6-13.3 h). The interval was significantly shorter in patients admitted at night than in patients admitted during office hours (3.7 vs. 6.0 h, P< 0.05). There was no difference with respect to the presenting features, body temperature, laboratory values at presentation or number of cultures performed. In 41 of the 50 patients blood samples were taken for culture. More than 80% of the patients received an antibiotic chosen in accordance with hospital guidelines. The analysis revealed that the median delay of 5 hours before patients received their initial dose of antibiotic depended on several factors. Attempts to provide optimal antimicrobial therapy should thus concentrate not only on the correct choice and dosage of a drug but also on prompt institution of therapy.

Adult↗