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Biomedical subjects

J Moodley

Publications and source records attributed to J Moodley.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Is the human chorionic gonadotropin secreted by ectopic trophoblast different from that in normal intrauterine pregnancies?

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether different isoforms of hCG are secreted by trophoblast tissue from ectopic pregnancy (EP). DESIGN: Retrospective study of surgically confirmed EPs compared with normal pregnancies. SETTING: Teaching hospital in South Africa. PATIENTS: One hundred patients with EPs and 120 patients with normal pregnancies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Isoforms of hCG were measured by specific immunoassays, lectin binding, and examination of disappearance rates of hCG after surgical clearance of EP. RESULTS: There were no obvious differences between the two types of pregnancy apart from a lower binding of beta-subunit immunoactivity to ricin 120. No clinically useful diagnostic measures to distinguish hCG from normal and EPs were found. CONCLUSIONS: No obvious differences were found in the isoforms of hCG between the two types of pregnancy using these methods.

Blood↗
PubMed1995

Serological screening for sexually transmitted infections in pregnancy: is there any value in re-screening for HIV and syphilis at the time of delivery?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of syphilis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections in women at the time of delivery, and to determine the seroconversion rates for syphilis and HIV infections from initial booking visit to delivery. SETTING: The labour ward of a typical tertiary hospital in a developing country and serving an indigent African population. METHOD: Four hundred and eighteen women presenting in labour were randomly selected and informed consent obtained for serological testing for syphilis and HBV infections in umbilical cord blood samples. The specimens were then given a study number, the gestational ages recorded and anonymously tested for HIV infection. RESULTS: Of the 191 women who had antenatal care, 13 (6.8%) were HIV antibody positive at the initial "booking" visit. An additional 4 were found to be HIV antibody positive at the time of delivery resulting in a seroconversion rate of 2.2%. The seroconversion rate for syphilis at the time of delivery was 2.7%. Hepatitis B surface antigens were detected in only 2 women, one of whom was antigen positive. CONCLUSION: The high seroconversion rates for both syphilis and HIV infection in pregnancy justifies re-screening for these conditions in endemic areas such as ours.

Delivery, Obstetric↗
PubMed1995

Sexually transmitted diseases including HIV infection in women with Bartholin's gland abscesses.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in women with Bartholin's gland abscess. SETTING: Gynaecology Clinic of King Edward VIII Hospital, a large urban, referral hospital for the province of Kwa-Zulu Natal, serving an underprivileged population. METHODS: Thirty consecutive women presenting with unruptured Bartholin's gland abscesses were studied. Prior to surgical drainage, aspirates from the abscess cavity and swab specimens from the vagina and endocervix were collected for microbiological investigations. In addition peripheral venous blood samples were obtained for syphilis and HIV antibody testing. RESULTS: Antibody to HIV was detected in 9 of the 30 (30%) patients studied. Recognised sexually transmitted pathogens were detected in both aspirates and endocervical specimens: Chlamydia trachomatis was detected in 3 aspirate and 2 endocervical specimens whilst Neisseria gonorrhoeae was cultured in 5 aspirate and 7 endocervical specimens. When comparing microorganisms isolated from HIV antibody positive and negative women, only Bacteroides species yielded a significantly higher growth (p = 0.01) in the antibody positive women. CONCLUSION: Our findings show that women with Bartholin's gland abscesses have a high prevalence of HIV antibody. Furthermore, this is the only study that demonstrates a role for C trachomatis in the aetiology of Bartholin's gland abscesses. Health workers should be aware of the need for appropriate counselling, and comprehensive treatment of sexually transmitted infections including C trachomatis in women with Bartholin's gland abscesses.

Abscess↗
PubMed1995

Peripartum cardiomyopathy: experiences at King Edward VIII Hospital, Durban, South Africa and a review of the literature.

The clinical profile of patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PP-CMO) seen in the patient population in Durban, South Africa, is documented. Parameters such as age, multiparity, time of presentation and the role of hypertension in PP-CMO were evaluated. The study comprised 97 patients seen over a 4 year period. Group 1 (n = 63), had a good outcome at follow-up and group II (n = 34), had an adverse outcome, namely: persistently severe symptoms New York Hospital Association, Class III/IV; major thromboembolic complications; or a fatal outcome. These results confirm that PP-CMO is more likely to occur in the older and multiparous female. Increasing age and multiparity did not adversely affect outcome. Eighteen per cent of the study group were primiparous, and a third of these had an adverse outcome. Late presentation of symptoms (after 1 month postpartum) tended to favour an adverse outcome (P = 0.06). Fifteen of the 19 patients with complete obstetric records had antenatal hypertension: in nine blood pressure levels were > or = 160/110 mmHg. We were unable to ascertain the prognostic value of hypertension in PP-CMO. In conclusion, this study showed a high incidence of PP-CMO in the local African population (1:1000 deliveries), and a high complication rate (35%): it suggests that early diagnosis and appropriate therapy may avert an adverse outcome.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Acute renal failure in pregnancy in South Africa.

This study compares our experiences of the incidence and etiology of acute renal failure in pregnancy (ARF-P) in patients requiring hemodialysis, a decade after a previous publication from our institution. A retrospective analysis of the hospital records of 42 patients with a diagnosis of ARF-P during a 3-year period from 1990 to 1992 was undertaken [16% of the total number of acute renal failure (ARF) patients needing hemodialysis]. The incidence of ARF-P (expressed relative to all cases of acute renal failure requiring hemodialysis) decreased from 24.6% (1978) to 16% (1992: p = 0.03). Preeclampsia-eclampsia (PE:E) replaced septic abortion as the principal cause of ARF-P. In those patients with PE:E, thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 150 x 10(9)/L) occurred in all, while 33% developed the HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets). Ingestion of herbal toxins was noted mostly in patients with septic abortion. Maternal mortality was 5% and was due to multiorgan failure complicating septic abortion. The perinatal mortality of 55% occurred in women with early gestation, thrombocytopenia, and high serum creatinine levels. Acute renal failure in pregnancy continues to present a challenge in South Africa, a developing country. There were significantly more obstetric than gynecological causes in 1992 (p = 0.0003). This could be attributed to the steady decline in septic abortion since 1978. The main contributor to obstetric-related causes was PE:E. Greater emphasis should therefore be placed on detecting hypertension at antenatal visits.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Abortion, Septic↗
PubMed1995

The association of antiphospholipid antibodies with severe early-onset pre-eclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: To confirm the association of antiphospholipid antibodies with early onset of severe pre-eclampsia before 30 weeks' gestation. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-four patients with diastolic blood pressure levels > or = 110 mmHg and at least 2+ proteinuria before the 30th week of pregnancy were randomly chosen for inclusion in the study. Blood samples were taken for assessment of anticardiolipin antibodies (ACAs), lupus anticoagulant, syphilitic serology and antinuclear antibodies. Fifteen normal antenatal patients matched for age, parity and gestational age acted as control subjects. RESULTS: Four of the 34 women (11.7%) in the study group had elevated levels of both ACAs and lupus anticoagulant, compared with none in the control group. This was not found to be statistically different. CONCLUSION: Given the low incidence of positive ACAs in early-onset severe pre-eclampsia it is unlikely that they are implicated in its pathogenesis. It is possible that they represent a small subset of patients with alternative or combined pathology.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Eclampsia: a continuing problem in developing countries.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether improvement in antenatal services over the years 1980-1990 led to a decline in the incidence of eclampsia in a third world setting. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all eclamptic patients seen during the years 1980 and 1990 at King Edward VIII Hospital, Durban, South Africa. RESULTS: The incidence of eclampsia in 1980 was 2.8/1000 deliveries and 6/1000 deliveries in 1990. There was a slight decline in maternal mortality from 12% in 1980 to 9% in 1990. CONCLUSIONS: Eclampsia remains a continuing problem in developing countries despite improvements in antenatal care and facilities. In this retrospective analysis, a decline in maternal mortality has been demonstrated in spite of an increase in the prevalence of eclampsia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Intravenous isradipine in the management of severe hypertension in pregnant and nonpregnant patients. A pilot study.

To determine the appropriate dosage regimen of isradipine in black patients with severe hypertension of pregnancy, 10 patients (gestational age, 30 to 38 weeks; diastolic blood pressure [DBP], 110 to 148 mm Hg; no hypertensive crises; and normal central venous pressure) were given an isradipine infusion while the fetal heart rate was continuously recorded using a cardiotocograph. The infusion rate of isradipine was adjusted at regular intervals until control (DBP < 95 mm Hg) was achieved. The optimal dosage regimen in black patients was found to be an initial dose of 0.15 micrograms/kg/min, with increments of 0.0025 micrograms/kg/min every 15 min until control is achieved. Thereafter, a maintenance infusion of 0.15 micrograms/kg/min can be commenced. This dosage regimen is associated with neither maternal hypotension nor fetal heart rate deceleration. A second group of 10 patients (9 men and 1 woman) with DBP > 115 mm Hg (range, 117 to 135 mm Hg) and no features of hypertensive crises were also studied. The optimal dosage regimen in this patient group differed from the other in two respects: dosage increments could be made more rapidly (at 10-min intervals); and the dosage that produced blood pressure control needed to be continued for 30 min before the maintenance infusion was commenced. This regimen was not associated with hypotension.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Intravenous and intramuscular magnesium sulphate regimens in severe pre-eclampsia.

Patients with severe pre-eclampsia were randomised to receive magnesium sulphate according to an intramuscular (IM) (N = 9) or an intravenous (i.v.) (N = 8) regimen. The IM regimen consisted of a loading dose of 14 g (4 g i.v. and 10 g IM) followed by 5 g 4-hourly. Patients given the IV regimen received a 6 g i.v. loading dose followed by a maintenance infusion of 2 g/h. Clinical outcome, laboratory parameters and serum magnesium levels were recorded for both groups. There were no significant differences between groups with regard to clinical outcome of either mother or child. Similar average serum magnesium concentrations were produced by the regimens the only significant difference was that fluctuations in magnesium levels were greater with the IM than the i.v. regimen. None of the patients had seizures despite levels mostly below 2 mmol/l.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Intravenous isradipine in the management of severe hypertension of pregnancy in black patients: a pilot study.

The ideal antihypertensive agent for lowering very high blood pressure levels rapidly in severe hypertension of pregnancy still eludes researchers. This pilot study was conducted to determine the appropriate dosage regimen for isradipine in black patients with severe hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Ten black patients with gestational age > or = 30 (range 30-38) weeks and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) > or = 110 (range 110-148) mmHg following 2 h of bed rest were recruited following informed consent. None of the patients had symptoms or signs of hypertensive crisis. After correction of hypovolaemia (using central venous pressure monitoring) with Ringer's lactate, high blood pressure was lowered by an isradipine infusion. Fetal heart rate was continuously recorded using a cardiotocograph. All blood pressure measurements were made using the same mercury sphygmomanometer by a single observer. The infusion rate of isradipine was adjusted at regular intervals until blood pressure control (DBP < 95 mmHg) was achieved. The optimal dosage regimen in black patients was found to be an initial dose of 0.15 microgram kg-1 min-1 with increments of 0.0025 micrograms kg-1 min-1 every 15 min until blood pressure control is achieved. Thereafter, a maintenance infusion of 0.15 microgram kg-1 min-1 can be initiated. This dosage regimen is associated with neither maternal hypotension nor fetal heart rate deceleration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

A single i.v. dose of ondansetron 8 mg prior to induction of anaesthesia reduces postoperative nausea and vomiting in gynaecological patients.

The effect of a single intravenous dose of ondansetron in preventing postoperative nausea and emesis (retching and vomiting) (PONV) was investigated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre, international study. Women of ASA class I-III, requiring gynaecological laparotomy, vaginal hysterectomy, or major vaginal surgery were selected for study. Two hundred and thirty-five received placebo, 231 received 1 mg ondansetron, 228 received 8 mg ondansetron and 229 received 16 mg ondansetron, as an infusion over five minutes before the induction of anaesthesia. A standardized balanced anaesthetic technique was employed. This consisted of premedication with either diazepam or temazepam, thiopentone induction, maintenance with nitrous oxide in oxygen supplemented with enflurane or isoflurane, intraoperative analgesia with fentanyl, neuromuscular blockade with any choice of agent and reversal with neostigmine and atropine. Postoperative analgesia was achieved with morphine, and prochlorperazine or metoclopramide were given if a rescue antiemetic was required. A greater percentage of patients in the 8 mg and 16 mg ondansetron groups experienced no postoperative emesis (44% and 39% respectively) than in the placebo and 1 mg ondansetron groups (29% and 28% respectively) for the first 24 hr postoperative period (8 mg vs placebo and 1 mg: P < or = 0.001; 16 mg vs placebo: P < 0.05; 16 mg vs 1 mg: P < 0.05). Similarly, the percentage of patients who did not experience postoperative nausea were 20%, 26%, 31% and 28% for the placebo, 1 mg, 8 mg and 16 mg ondansetron treatment groups, respectively (8 mg and 16 mg vs placebo P < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Malignant ventricular arrhythmias in eclampsia: a comparison of labetalol with dihydralazine.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to assess the impact of beta-adrenergic blockade during the peripartum period on the previously observed high incidence of ventricular arrhythmias in eclamptic parturients. STUDY DESIGN: An open, randomized comparison of intravenous labetalol versus dihydralazine was conducted in 40 eclamptic subjects in the peripartum period. Cardiac rhythm was assessed by blinded analysis of a 24-hour Holter record by means of the Lown classification of arrhythmias. RESULTS: There was a significantly higher incidence of serious ventricular arrhythmias in patients receiving dihydralazine (81%) than in those receiving labetalol (17%, p < 0.0001). Patients receiving labetalol showed a significant decrease in mean heart rate (p < 0.0001), whereas patients receiving dihydralazine showed a significant increase (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The introduction of beta-adrenergic blockade into peripartum hypertensive management of eclampsia significantly reduced the incidence of dangerous ventricular arrhythmias. Myocardial oxygen supply/demand ratio may be improved by beta-blockade.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Electroencephalogram and computerised cerebral tomography findings in eclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: To define more clearly the neuropathophysiology of eclampsia. DESIGN: A prospective study relating to computerised cerebral tomography (CAT) scan and electroencephalogram (EEG) findings in eclampsia. SETTING: A large referral centre in a developing society. SUBJECTS: Thirty-two women with eclampsia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Abnormalities in EEG and CAT scan findings. RESULTS: Approximately 45% of the women studied had CAT scan abnormalities, while 90% had EEG abnormalities. A burst suppression pattern on EEG examination was found in four women suggesting a temporary dissolution of cerebral function to the midbrain level as the cause of seizures. CONCLUSIONS: EEGs are probably more sensitive than CAT scans in detecting the extent of the pathology in the brain in women with eclampsia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

The association between sexually transmitted pathogens and cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia in a developing community.

OBJECTIVE--To determine the association of sexually transmitted pathogens in women with cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN). SETTING--An urban tertiary referral hospital serving a large indigent developing community. PARTICIPANTS--48 women attending a colposcopy clinic and 49 women attending a family planning clinic. METHODS--Vaginal, endocervical, rectal swab specimens and sera were collected for the detection of sexually transmitted pathogens. Cervical cytology was performed on all patients. Women attending the colposcopy clinic had confirmation of abnormal cervical cytology by colposcopic directed biopsy. RESULTS--The mean age of women with CIN (33 years) was significantly greater than that of the women without CIN (28 years) and that of the family planning group (26 years). There was a high prevalence of sexually transmitted pathogens in all women. A significantly higher prevalence of bacterial vaginosis was found in women with CIN compared to those without (50% vs 20%; p = 0.034). The human papilloma virus (HPV) was detected in 46% of women with CIN and 65% of those without CIN. Chlamydia trachomatis (21%) and Trichomonas vaginalis (39%) were detected frequently in women with CIN. C. trachomatis (14%-21%) was detected more frequently than Neisseria gonorrhoeae (3-5%) in all asymptomatic women studied. CONCLUSION--This study demonstrates a high prevalence of sexually transmitted pathogens in women with and without CIN as well as family planning clinic attenders. Bacterial vaginosis was a significant finding in women with CIN. C. trachomatis was detected in a high proportion of all women studied and found more commonly than N. gonorrhoeae. We therefore recommend that all women attending gynaecological services in a developing community be investigated and treated for sexually transmitted diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Re-screening for syphilis at the time of delivery in areas of high prevalence.

Two hundred women who were screened for syphilis at their initial antenatal visit were rescreened at the time of delivery. Umbilical cord blood specimens as well as maternal sera were tested. Twenty-two (11%) women were rapid plasma reagin (RPR)-positive at booking, while a total of 23 (12%) were RPR-positive at the time of delivery, including an additional 5 (3%) who seroconverted. Four women who were RPR-positive at initial testing had become negative by the time of delivery following treatment. Of all neonates born to seropositive women, only 1 demonstrated clinical evidence of congenital syphilis. In view of the high seroconversion rate, we recommend screening for syphilis at the initial antenatal visit and rescreening at the time of delivery in areas such as ours.

Female↗