Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J H Lewis

Publications and source records attributed to J H Lewis.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

General surgery in adult hemophiliacs.

From 1976 to 1984, 23 operations were performed on 22 patients with hemophilia (18 patients with factor VIII and four with factor IX deficiency). Elective procedures included resection of abdominal aortic aneurysm, liver transplantation, vagotomy/pyloroplasty, insertion of Mousseau-Barbin tube, colectomy, cholecystectomy, inguinal herniorrhaphy (four patients), colonoscopy/polypectomy, mediastinoscopy, arteriovenous fistula for dialysis, anal fistulectomy, and miscellaneous skin and soft-tissue procedures (five patients). Emergency operations were appendectomy (two patients), repair of bleeding liver biopsy site, and repair of an incarcerated inguinal hernia. There were two deaths (9%) within 30 days of operation, neither directly caused by the coagulopathy. Four patients had bleeding after surgery, which was treated with additional cryoprecipitate or factor concentrate. There were no nonhemorrhagic complications. Before operation, appropriate replacement therapy with factor VIII concentrate, cryoprecipitate, or fresh-frozen plasma was provided. Coagulation factor levels were measured before operation and monitored daily after operation. Generally, factor levels were raised to at least 1.0 U/ml and maintained at greater than 0.5 U/ml for 7 to 14 days after operation. However, when patients were treated with fresh-frozen plasma, plasma exchange was performed and factor levels of approximately 0.35 U/ml were achieved before surgery. We conclude that operations in patients with hemophilia can be accomplished safely with careful monitoring of coagulation factor levels and appropriate replacement therapy.

Adolescent↗

AIDS retrovirus antibodies in hemophiliacs treated with factor VIII or factor IX concentrates, cryoprecipitate, or fresh frozen plasma: prevalence, seroconversion rate, and clinical correlations.

Antibodies to the AIDS retrovirus, specifically to human T cell lymphotropic virus, type III, and AIDS-associated retrovirus, were detected with increasing prevalence in a population of 190 hemophiliacs from western Pennsylvania between 1981 and 1984: 7.7% in 1981, 20.0% in 1982, 45.5% in 1983, and 62.5% in 1984. The seropositive included approximately three fourths of those receiving factor VIII concentrate, nearly one third of those receiving factor IX concentrate, nearly one fifth of those receiving cryoprecipitate, and none of those receiving fresh frozen plasma. The seroconversion rate, determined on 43 seropositive hemophiliacs from this group who were serially sampled, was 0% in 1977, 4.7% in 1978, 4.9% in 1979, 2.6% in 1980, 10.5% in 1981, 52.9% in 1982, 87.5% in 1983, and 100% in 1984. Of 27 seropositive for three or more years (since 1982 or before), four (15%) have developed AIDS and seven (26%), diffuse lymphadenopathy (ARC); of 16 seropositive for less than three years, none has developed AIDS and three (19%) have developed ARC. The mean time from seroconversion to onset of ARC, 0.8 +/- 0.2 years (SEM), was shorter (P less than .001) than the time to onset of AIDS, 4.1 +/- 0.6 years. These findings confirm the widespread presence of AIDS retrovirus and support the association of these retroviruses with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and related conditions.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Cryptosporidiosis of the stomach.

A patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome who developed symptoms of partial gastric outlet obstruction during the course of a severe diarrheal illness due to cryptosporidiosis is presented. Endoscopic evaluation of the stomach revealed an inflamed pyloric ring and channel with clinical evidence suggestive of partial outlet obstruction. The finding of cryptosporidial organisms on biopsy of the pylorus highlights the potential for diffuse gastrointestinal involvement by this parasite and offers an alternative explanation for the symptoms of nausea and vomiting associated with the diarrheal illness.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

A survey of drug usage among patients admitted to a psychiatric hospital.

A six-month survey of the urinary concentrations of drugs and alcohol of 176 patients within one hour of their admission to the acute psychiatric wards of the Macquarie Hospital, Sydney, is reported. Non-prescribed drugs were detected in the urine specimens of 29.5% of patients and alcohol in the urine specimens of 13.6% of patients. The survey demonstrated inconsistencies between patients' reports of their recent drug or alcohol intake and the laboratory findings, and inadequacies in the information recorded and relayed to the laboratory at the time of patients' admission to the hospital.

Adolescent↗

Patterns of gastrointestinal hemorrhage in hemophilia.

Peptic ulcer has been reported to be the cause of bleeding in 53%-85% of hemophiliacs with gastrointestinal hemorrhage (GIH). The management of GIH in hemophiliacs during the past decade has been affected by the availability of plasma concentrates, an increasing occurrence of chronic liver disease, and widespread use of endoscopic procedures. To determine the present patterns of GIH, we reviewed our experience at the Hemophilia Center of Western Pennsylvania during the last 10 yr. Twenty-five (10.3%) of 243 hemophiliacs experienced 41 episodes of GIH. The severity of hemophilia and a history of retroperitoneal hemorrhage were significant risk factors for GIH. Duodenal ulcer (22%), unknown site (22%), and gastritis (14%) were the three most common diagnoses. The use of fiberoptic endoscopy resulted in the recognition of diagnoses such as gastritis, esophagitis, Mallory--Weiss syndrome, and esophageal varices. Red cell transfusion requirements of hemophiliacs with GIH were no different than those of nonhemophiliacs with GIH (p greater than 0.05). The amount of factor VIII replacement used by hemophiliacs with GIH correlated with the severity of gastrointestinal bleeding (p less than 0.01), but not with the cause of gastrointestinal bleeding (p greater than 0.05). In conclusion, hemophiliacs develop GIH secondary to a variety of causes as do nonhemophiliacs. Fiberoptic endoscopy, after correction of factor VIII level to 0.40 U/ml, is a safe and valuable diagnostic procedure in hemophiliacs. The specific etiology of GIH in hemophiliacs should be aggressively sought and appropriate specific therapy provided.

Adolescent↗

Methodological issues in collecting data from traditional birth attendants.

Information on the activities, practices and social context of pregnancy and delivery care provided by traditional birth attendants (TBA) is a critical requirement in planning, monitoring and evaluating maternal health programs in many countries. As a result of experimental studies in which such information was obtained by a variety of methods, and a review of alternative methodologies, a set of guidelines has been developed for the collection of such information. High-lighted are the need for good background knowledge on the local situation, involving TBAs themselves in design and collecting methods, a system of supervision to ensure adequate training and careful monitoring, and finally sharing the findings with the TBAs as well as with health officials.

Brazil↗

Comparative hematology and coagulation: studies on rodentia (rats).

Blood from adult male Wistar rats clotted rapidly in glass or siliconized tubes; the clots retracted and did not lyse. The serum prothrombin, plasma prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin times were shorter than those of normal humans. In contrast, the thrombin and reptilase times were longer than those of normal human plasma, due apparently to the presence of a low-grade thrombin inhibitor in rat plasma. Coagulation factors, X, VIIIR:vW and IX assayed lower in rat than human plasma, while factors VIII:C and anti-thrombin III were higher. Values for other coagulation factors (II, V, VII, XI, XII and Fletcher) fell within the human range. Platelets were small and numerous. They aggregated well with ADP but poorly or not at all with collagen, ristocetin, thrombin, epinephrine, arachidonic acid and pig or bovine plasmas. Leukocytes numbered 4-8 X 10(3) cells/mm3, a near human range and were predominantly lymphocytic. Erythrocytes were small (MCV = 56-60 fl) and numerous (5.5-6.4 X 10(6) cells/mm3).

Animals↗

Listeria monocytogenes sepsis and small cell carcinoma of the rectum: an unusual presentation of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

A 26-year-old male homosexual initially presented with Listeria monocytogenes sepsis and a small cell carcinoma of the rectum. His subsequent course included esophageal candidiasis, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, and severe T-lymphocyte abnormalities on immunologic testing, consistent with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This represents the first case of AIDS associated with this unusual tumor and Listeria infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Hiccups: causes and cures.

Hiccups result from a wide variety of conditions that act on the supraspinal hiccup center or that stimulate or disinhibit the limbs of its reflex arc. While scores of hiccup remedies have been reported over the centuries, no single "cure" stands out as being the most effective. Measures that stimulate the uvula or pharynx or disrupt diaphragmatic (respiratory) rhythm are simple to use and often help to speed the end of a bout of otherwise benign, self-limited hiccups. Such manueuvers may also terminate persistent hiccups. Drug therapy usually becomes necessary for more intractable hiccups; chlorpromazine and metoclopramide being two of the most widely employed agents for this purpose. Physical disruption of the phrenic nerve, hypnosis, and acupuncture are other modes of therapy that have been used in severe cases. Because so many reports of hiccup "cures" are based on anecdotal experience rather than controlled clinical studies, I review the available treatments to provide a rational approach for the management of hiccups.

Abdomen↗

Benign duodenal villous adenoma obstructing the ampulla of Vater: a surgical dilemma.

The discovery of an elevated serum alkaline phosphatase level during routine blood screening in a 53-year-old man led to tests that showed a large benign villous adenoma obstructing the ampulla of Vater in the second part of the duodenum. Although the preferred treatment of such a lesion is local excision, the tumor was extensive and necessitated a pancreatoduodenectomy. Histologically benign duodenal villous adenomas that also obstruct the common bile duct are uncommon and may be missed during surgical exploration; therefore, whenever there are no stones to account for symptoms or signs of extrahepatic obstruction, the surgeon should carefully palpate the ampullary region of the duodenum.

Adenoma↗

The relation of preoperative coagulation findings to diagnosis, blood usage, and survival in adult liver transplantation.

A group of 70 adults with end-stage liver disease received 87 homologous liver transplants from 7/11/81 and 7/11/83. The recipients fell into the following diagnostic categories: postnecrotic cirrhosis (PNC) in 22, primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) in 18, cancer or neoplasia (CA) in 11, sclerosing cholangitis (SC) in 8 and miscellaneous (MISC) in 11. Survival for six months or longer was 46%: survival by group was PBC = 67%, CA = 55%, PNC = 45%, SC = 25%, and MISC = 18%. Preoperative coagulation profiles were evaluated on 64 of the 70 first transplant patients by assigning a score derived from one point per abnormality in each of 8 tests. Mean coagulation abnormality scores (CAS) were strikingly elevated in the PNC and MISC groups. Mean intraoperative blood product usage was 43 units of RBCs, 40 units of fresh frozen plasma (FFP), 21 units of platelets, and 9 bags of cryoprecipitate. Direct correlations were found between CAS and RBC usage (+0.454, P = less than .001), CAS, and survival of 6 months or longer (-0.281, P = less than .02), and RBC usage and survival (-0.408, P = less than .001). These findings indicate that the degree of coagulation abnormality and the type of liver disease may be predictive of intraoperative blood usage and survival in liver transplantation in adults.

Adolescent↗

Disseminated talc granulomatosis. An unusual finding in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and fatal cytomegalovirus infection.

The association of disseminated magnesium silicate talc granulomatosis and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is reported in a male homosexual who used intravenous drugs and who died of overwhelming cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Autopsy findings included widespread deposition of talc crystals in the lungs, liver, lymph nodes, bone marrow, and spleen. Typical CMV inclusions were seen in the lungs, kidneys, adrenal glands, gastrointestinal tract, and right eye. There was no evidence of malignancy. Analysis of peripheral blood neutrophil function revealed impaired chemotaxis and chemokinesis, but opsonophagocytosis had remained normal. The CMV infection in the small bowel was extensive and resulted in severe destruction of the muscularis propria and neural plexi, leading to marked dilatation and persistent diarrhea. The terminal course was marked by intractable hypotension, pneumonitis, and malnutrition, which could be attributed respectively to CMV involvement of the adrenal glands, lungs, and small bowel. The etiology and possible role of systemic talc granulomatosis in the development of immunosuppressive illness is reported herein.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Comparison of bleeding tendency, factor XI coagulant activity, and factor XI antigen in 25 factor XI-deficient kindreds.

The relationship of clinical bleeding tendency and factor XI antigen (XI:Ag) in factor XI deficiency was studied in 78 members of 25 factor XI-deficient kindreds. Factor XI:Ag was measured in a competitive radioimmunoassay, using monospecific, heterologous anti-factor XI antibody. 125I-labeled factor XI, and staphylococcal protein A as the precipitating agent. Deficiency of factor XI clotting activity (XI:C), less than 0.62 U/mL, occurred in 48 individuals, 22 of whom experienced postoperative or posttraumatic bleeding: Their mean factor XI:C was 0.21 +/- 0.04 U/mL (SEM), and factor XI:Ag was 0.23 +/- 0.04 U/mL. The remaining 26 had no clinical bleeding, many despite surgical challenge: Their mean factor XI:C was 0.30 +/- 0.04 U/mL, and factor XI:Ag was 0.34 +/- 0.05 U/mL. In all, 13 kindreds had between 1 and 11 members with bleeding; the other 12 had none with deficient hemostasis. Two heterozygous factor XI-deficient individuals appeared to be positive for cross-reacting material (CRM+). The slope of the regression line for factor XI:C and factor XI:Ag data points in the 78 individuals tested did not differ from control, and all points fell within 95% confidence limits derived from control. In conclusion, bleeding tendency appears to be consistent within a given kindred and is not determined exclusively by factor XI:C or factor XI:Ag levels.

Antigens↗