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Biomedical subjects

J M Perez

Publications and source records attributed to J M Perez.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

[Dengue fever with neurologic expression. Three cases in adults].

Dengue fever, unlike most other arboviral diseases, does not usually cause encephalitis. However, neurologic symptoms with poor prognosis have been regularly reported, mostly in Asian children affected by the severe dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome, and attributed to a non specific, anoxic or metabolic encephalopathy. Recently, first isolations of dengue viruses from CSF or brain tissue, have renewed this concept. We report 3 dengue fever cases with neurologic manifestations and favorable outcome. Occurrence in adult age, during classic (benign) dengue fever (2 cases), and neurologic sequellae (1 case) were the three outstanding features. We point out the proteiform expression of these neurologic changes and their low incidence rate (< 3% in our series of adult dengue fever). Although their pathogenesis is poorly understood, different mechanisms are suggested: encephalopathy (case n. 1), acute specific encephalitis (questionable in case n(o) 2), or post-infective encephalitis (case n(o) 3).

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Characterization of variable immunodominant antigens of Cowdria ruminantium by ELISA and immunoblots.

Cross-immunization experiments have revealed a significant antigenic diversity of the isolate of Cowdria ruminantium which needs to be characterized for the development of vaccines. We identified polymorphic immunodominant antigens by ELISA and immunoblot. Using serum from a goat immune to the Gardel stock of Cowdria (isolated in Guadeloupe) adsorbed on antigen of the Senegal stock of this pathogen, distinct serogroups were revealed by ELISA among six isolates from different geographical origins. Furthermore, a goat serum directed against the Senegal stock and adsorbed on Gardel antigens was shown to be specific for the Senegal stock, thus confirming the existence of serotypes in Cowdria. The Major Antigenic Protein 1 (MAP1) of Cowdria was shown to have variable antigenic determinants. Also in a group of variable proteins ranging from 23 to 29 kDa, one antigen of 26-27 kDa had a determinant specific for the Gardel isolate. These polymorphic antigens may be relevant components of Cowdria ruminantium for a vaccine as the sera revealing these antigens originated from a goal surviving a lethal challenge. However, the presence of T-cell epitopes and the ability of the these antigens to confer protection to ruminants remain to be investigated. The production of a rabbit antiserum against this group of polypeptides will be of great use for their purification and for the screening of expression libraries.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Detection of genomic polymorphisms among isolates of the intracellular bacterium Cowdria ruminantium by random amplified polymorphic DNA and Southern blotting.

Sixteen primers were successfully used in a RAPD assay to generate reproducible fingerprints for six isolates of Cowdria ruminantium, a tick-transmitted rickettsia of ruminants. Distinction between stocks was possible by using one or at most two primers. Two stocks were very similar although originating from widely distant geographical regions. A genetic distance tree was constructed by analysing 108 fragments in pairwise comparison between stocks. Three amplification fragments probed with C. ruminantium genomic DNA determined a restriction fragment length polymorphism which allowed the distinction between stocks except for the two stocks that had similar RAPD patterns. The potential of RAPD to determine the extent of genetic diversity of C. ruminantium and to develop probes or PCR primers for diagnostic purposes is discussed.

Blotting, Southern↗
PubMed1997

[Primary Vibrio vulnificus septicemia. 1st documented case in the French West Indies].

BACKGROUND: Vibrio vulnificus is a non-choleric halophilic vibrion widely distributed in marine environments. Contamination in humans is uncommon except in coastal areas of the United States and Asia. We report the first documented case in the French West Indies. CASE REPORT: A 57-year-old native with alcoholic cirrhosis was hospitalized for septic shock. The infectious syndrome began suddenly a few hours earlier with fever, diarrhea, and intense pain in the calf muscles. In the absence of a suspected agent, a wide spectrum antibiotic was prescribed. On day 3, bullae developed over the legs and progressed, despite early surgical debridement, to bilateral rapidly extensive necrosing cellulitis. An above the knee amputation was required but did not prevent death on day 9 due to irreversible multiple organ failure. Blood cultures were positive for V. vulnificus. DISCUSSION: Primary septicemia due to V. vulnificus is mainly observed in subjects with an underlying liver disease and usually occurs after ingestion of contamined raw halieutic products such as oysters. The clinical presentation is characteristic with secondary necrotic ulcerations on the lower limbs. Improvement in the extremely poor prognosis of these infections depends on early initiation of an effective antibiotic with wide exeresis of necrotic tissue. Physicians should be aware of this severe infection despite its low frequency.

Bacteremia↗
PubMed1997

Development of an in vitro cloning method for Cowdria ruminantium.

Cowdria ruminantium is a tick-borne rickettsia which causes severe disease in ruminants. All studies with C. ruminantium reported so far were carried out with stocks consisting of infective blood collected from reacting animals or from the same stocks propagated in vitro. Cloned isolates are needed to conduct studies on immune response of the host, on genetic diversity of the parasite, and on mechanisms of attenuation and the development of vaccines. A method of cloning based on the particular chlamydia life cycle of Cowdria was developed. Instead of cloning extracellular elementary bodies, it appeared more convenient to clone endothelial cells infected by one morula resulting from the infection of the cell by one elementary body of Cowdria. Two hundred and sixteen clones were obtained by limiting dilution of infected cells. The method was experimentally validated by comparing randomly amplified polymorphic DNA fingerprints from individual clones obtained from endothelial cell cultures coinfected with two different stocks of C. ruminantium.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Comparative efficacy of Freund's and Montanide ISA50 adjuvants for the immunisation of goats against heartwater with inactivated Cowdria ruminantium.

Two vaccines, based on inactivated elementary bodies of Cowdria ruminantium, one formulated in Montanide ISA50, the other in Freund's adjuvant, were compared in goats. Administered twice subcutaneously with an interval of 81 days, both protected three out of five goats against a very severe challenge, lethal for all 14 control goats, 3.5 months after the second injection. Both vaccines elicited similar antibody levels. The protection afforded by the Montanide ISA50 vaccine was tested 15 and 17 months after the second injection of the vaccine. Three out of six and five out of six goats, respectively, survived a challenge which killed all four control goats used on each occasion. Antibodies were still detectable in the immunised goats. The level of protection appears to be influenced by the dose of virulent C. ruminantium used for the challenge. As any stock of C. ruminantium can be incorporated in order to cover the antigenic repertoire of the organism, this kind of inactivated vaccine can now be tested in the field.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1996

Analysis of glial fibrillary acidic protein, neurofilament protein, actin and heat shock proteins in human fetal brain during the second trimester.

Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), the 66 kDa neurofilament protein (NF-66), actin, the 27 kDa heat shock protein (HSP27) and the 70 kDa constitutive heat shock protein (HSC70) were analyzed in human fetal brain during the second trimester, from 10 to 24 gestational weeks (GW). By immunohistochemistry, cell-type specific localization of GFAP and NF-66 in astrocytes and neurons, respectively, was confirmed. HSP27 was expressed mostly in the nuclear region of neurons and non-neuronal cells, and HSC70 was widely distributed throughout the tissue. By quantitative immunoblotting, GFAP was not detectable in gray matter of prefrontal cortex prior to 16 GW. Between 16 and 21 GW, the content of GFAP rose slowly. Thereafter, GFAP accumulated rapidly. The content of GFAP in different brain regions (prefrontal, parietal, and occipital cortices) differed significantly at 22 GW. In contrast, NF-66 was already highly expressed at 10 GW, slowly rose to maximal values by 18 GW, and thereafter remained stationary. In contrast to GFAP, the content of NF-66 was similar in different brain regions at 22 GW. Although actin was abundant throughout the second trimester, a sharp drop in its content in the prefrontal cortex was detected at 17 GW. To explain such a decrease, two heat shock proteins were analyzed. HSP27, known to modulate actin polymerization, was found to increase sharply at 16-17 GW. In contrast, HSC70 remained constant during the second trimester and was highly expressed in the fetal brain, at a level comparable to that in the adult brain.

Actins↗
PubMed1995

The morphology of Laemobothrion (Laemobothrion) maximum (Phthiraptera: Laemobothriidae).

Adult specimens of Laemobothrion (L.) maximum (Scopoli, 1763), a buzzard louse species, were studied using scanning electron microscopy and paying special attention to sensitive structures, mainly those located on the head, mouthparts, abdomen and legs. Data on shape and size of palpl and antennal sensilla, as well as post-spiracular ones, were obtained. Some modifications of the mouthparts were observed.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Benign testicular tumor associated with Klinefelter's syndrome.

Testicular tumors associated with Klinefelter's syndrome are rare. We report a benign testicular epidermal cyst that was diagnosed in a patient with Klinefelter's syndrome. The association between testicular tumors and Klinefelter's syndrome, and management of a testicular epidermal cyst are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Prediction of digestibility of nutrients and energy values of pig diets from chemical analysis.

The DE and ME values and digestible nutrient contents of 114 diets were measured in 45-kg growing pigs (four to five animals per diet) fed approximately 500 kcal of ME/kg BW.60. Diets differed widely with regard to their chemical characteristics and their ingredients. Chemical composition of each diet was measured by at least four laboratories. The results were used to establish prediction equations of DE or ME values, digestible nutrient contents, and digestibility coefficients of energy and nutrients from chemical characteristics. Digestibility coefficients of energy (range: 65 to 95%) and CP (range: 64 to 94%) were highly dependent on dietary fiber and mineral contents. The digestibility coefficient of ether extract increased curvilinearly (from 2 to 84%) with the dietary fat content. The digestibility of fiber was lower (45% for NDF) than for the other chemical constituents. The ME:DE ratio averaged 96.3% and was negatively correlated to the dietary protein content. The DE and ME values could be accurately predicted (R2 > .90 and CV < 2%) from chemical characteristics; the best equations were obtained when the following predictors were combined in a linear model: ash, ether extract, crude protein, and an estimate of dietary fiber. The accuracy of the prediction was higher with NDF than with ADF or Weende crude fiber. The results suggest that even a rather large proportion of dietary fiber (approximately 50%) is degraded in the digestive tract, the amount of available energy from fiber digestion is negligible in connection with increased endogenous protein and fat losses. The equations obtained in the present study represent a basis for the prediction of the energy values of mixed diets with a composition of unknown ingredients.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1993

[Natural murine infestation by Angiostrongylus costaricensis Morera and Cespedes, 1971 in Guadeloupe].

In 1992, two cases of abdominal angiostrongylosis were reported in young Guadeloupean children. With a view to determine the natural infestation rate of Guadeloupe rodents (Rattus rattus, R. norvegicus) by Angiostrongylus costaricensis, 656 rats caught in the country have been examined. Both murine species are naturally infested (6.2% in R. rattus and 14.9% in R. norvegicus), which gives a total prevalence of 7.5%. This total prevalence is higher in the tourist area. A complementary investigation proves to be necessary to identify in Guadeloupe the alleged intermediate hosts (slugs, land snails) in which the human illness has its direct origins.

Angiostrongylus↗
PubMed1993

Pharyngeal bot flies (Oestridae) from sympatric wild cervids in southern Spain.

The prevalence of 2 species of pharyngeal bot flies parasitizing sympatric wild ungulates from southern Spain is given. Pharyngomyia picta was found in all red deer and fallow deer whereas Cephenemyia auribarbis was found in 59% of fallow deer and 81% of red deer examined. The mean number of P. picta larvae was 3-6 times more than that of C. auribarbis larvae. These data suggest that red deer are more heavily parasitized than fallow deer and that they are predominantly infested with P. picta larvae.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Long-term results of choledochoduodenostomy in the treatment of choledocholithiasis: assessment of 225 cases.

During a 10-year period 2610 patients were operated on for biliary lithiasis; in 225 (8.6 per cent) cases the operation concluded with a choledochoduodenostomy. The commonest preoperative diagnosis (62.2 per cent) in these 225 patients was choledocholithiasis; 30 patients had previously had a cholecystectomy. After choledochoduodenostomy, 4.0 per cent of patients had an intra-abdominal complication; six patients developed an intra-abdominal abscess and three developed an external biliary fistula. Four patients (1.8 per cent) died, three from pulmonary complications and one from a biliary fistula. After a mean follow-up period of 4.6 years, 71.5 per cent of patients were asymptomatic. The remainder suffered from dyspepsia (15.1 per cent), colicky pain (8.7 per cent) or episodes of cholangitis (4.7 per cent). Endoscopy in the symptomatic patients allowed the following conclusions: (a) no patient with dyspepsia had a problem at the anastomosis; (b) 27 per cent of those with colic had anastomotic stenosis or the sump syndrome; and (c) all patients with cholangitis had anastomotic stenosis and residual calculi.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Changes in small intestinal motility in acute physical stress--an experimental study.

The objectives of the present study were: 1) to describe the modifications in motility of the small intestine in response to situations of acute physical stress during fasting and post-prandial periods. 2) To analyse the possible involvement of the adrenergic and beta-endorphinergic systems in these modifications. For this we used a total of 60 dogs. The motility of the small intestine was recorded using electromyography techniques (monopolar electrodes) and manometric techniques (submucous microballoons). Plasma levels of beta-endorphin and catecholamines were determined before and after the stimulus. We show that physical stress applied in phases I or II of the fasting period induced a significant increase in the percentage of slow waves followed by the action potential for 1 minute in the three locations of the intestine studied (duodenum, angle of Treitz and proximal part of the jejunum), lasting from 8 to 12 minutes (p less than 0.001). When it is applied during the early post-prandial period it is responsible for a significant decrease in the percentage of slow waves followed by the action potential for 1 minute for a period of 6 to 11 minutes (p less than 0.001). The administration of adrenergic blockers prevents the effect of hypomotility caused by acute physical stress (p less than 0.001), whereas the administration of naloxone favors this hypomotility effect (p less than 0.001). Acute physical stress, on being applied during the late post-prandial period increases the percentage of slow waves followed by the action potential for 1 minute for a period of 8 minutes (p less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1986

The universal Rn wave. An approach.

A large set of hourly Rn atmospheric concentration data collected during 1976, 1978, 1979 and 1980 has been obtained. These data follow a log-normal distribution law. The Fourier analysis of the mean daily course of Rn by month (Rn wave) shows that to accurately represent such a wave two terms are sufficient. Assuming that with a great deal of data the influence of the meteorological variables is very low, the two terms have been interpreted taking into account only the atmospheric stability, which depends on the solar flux. By applying the same treatment to Rn concentration data from other sites it was found that: (a) the phase of the first harmonic is a constant, independent of the site; (b) the phase of the second harmonic is a linear function of the hourly difference between sunrise and sunset; (c) the amplitude of the first harmonic is a linear function of the solar flux; and (d) no reliable correlation was found for the amplitude of the second harmonic, for which reason a mean value was taken. The error obtained in the prediction of the Rn wave was tolerable.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1981

The influence of neonatal orchiopexy upon the testis in persistent Müllerian duct syndrome.

We report on a patient with persistent müllerian duct syndrome and normal external genitalia who had embryonal cancer of the testis 16 years after neonatal bilateral orchiopexy. In previous cases the testes of these patients have not been considered predisposed to form tumors. However, the occurrence of a testis tumor has been reported in 8 patients with this syndrome. The specific factors resulting in tumor formation in such patients are uncertain. Until they are clarified we suggest that these patients should be observed carefully for the possible development of testis tumor.

Adolescent↗