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Biomedical subjects

J Munzinger

Publications and source records attributed to J Munzinger.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Constitutive property of the local organization of leaf venation networks.

The leaf venation of dicotyledons forms complex patterns. In spite of their large variety of morphologies these patterns have common features. They are formed of a hierarchy of structures, which are connected to form a reticulum. Excellent images of these patterns can be obtained from leaves from which the soft tissues have been removed. A numerical image processing has been developed, specially designed for a quantitative analysis of this type of network. It provides a precise characterization of its geometry. The resulting data reveals a surprising property of reticula's nodes: the angles between vein segments are very well defined and it is shown that they are directly related by the radii of the segments. The relation between radii and angles can be expressed very simply using a phenomenological analogy to mechanics. This local organization principle is universal; all leaf venation patterns studied show the same behavior. The results are compared with physical networks such as fracture arrays or soap froth in terms of hierarchy and reorganization.

Biophysical Phenomena↗
PubMed2000

Frequency of Cryptosporidium spp. as cause of human gastrointestinal disease in Switzerland and possible sources of infection.

Detection of Cryptosporidium parvum is not routinely done in laboratories of clinical microbiology and there is no obligation to communicate isolations of this pathogen to health authorities. For these reasons, frequency of cryptosporidiosis and sources of infection are only poorly known in Switzerland. To obtain more concise information in this field, feces from 5179 hospitalized and 1256 ambulatory patients with suspected gastrointestinal infections were screened for Cryptosporidium spp. over the period of one year in two laboratories. In toto, 13 patients with cryptosporidiosis were detected which results a frequency of 0.2%. Furthermore, it was shown by a projection that about 340 cases of cryptosporidiosis have to expected yearly in Switzerland, resulting an estimated morbidity of 4.85 cases per 100,000 persons. With regard to risk factors, the available patient data did not allow solid statistical conclusions. However, known risk factors such as immunosuppression, travelling abroad (33.3%) and contact to symptomatic persons were unquestionably demonstrated. Oysters, raw milk and cream from raw milk had to be strongly taken into consideration as food vehicles of transmission. Tap water from municipal nets has not to be considered as relevant source of sporadic infections. The obtained data indicate that cryptosporidiosis is a disease of low epidemiological significance in Switzerland. To a great extent, cryptosporidiosis could be prevented by best known measures of personal hygiene, avoiding certain raw food-stuffs and being aware of safe catering on travels.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Role of adenoids in the pathogenesis of otitis media: a bacteriologic and immunohistochemical analysis.

Adenoidectomy is frequently performed in children suffering from recurrent or chronic otitis media with effusion and is thought to produce a long-term effect in preventing further episodes of otitis media. Bacteriologic analysis of adenoids from 60 patients revealed a significantly elevated colonization rate of middle ear pathogens in children with a present or previous history of ear disease compared to children with adenoidal hypertrophy only. The predominant pathogen was nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae, followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Moraxella catarrhalis. Quantitative analysis did not demonstrate a bacterial overload in the otitis group. Lectin histochemical analysis of the adenoids revealed no significant differences between the three groups; nevertheless, colonization with S pneumoniae demonstrated an increased labeling pattern with succinylated wheat germ agglutinin, indicating the exposure of N-acetyl-glucosamine as part of its own receptor structure. On the basis of these results, we support the concept of adenoidectomy in order to remove a bacterial focus; however, we could not verify the hypothesis of bacterial overgrowth in the nasopharynx.

Adenoidectomy↗
PubMed1995

[The resistance spectrum and antibiotic therapy in progressive infections in the mouth, jaw and face areas].

Assessing the surgically treated progressive abscesses of the head and neck from 1991 to 1993 at our clinic of maxillofacial surgery, a surprising percentage of the microbiologically isolated germs showed resistance against the recommended antibiotics of first choice. The location of the abscesses, the microbiological spectrum and the clinical course are analysed and compared with the literature. Preventing possible severe complication of progressive abscesses of the head and the neck an additional parenteral antibiotic therapy in high doses combined with the surgical treatment is recommended. Common dentoalveolar infections without progressive tendency are sufficiently treated surgically without administration of antibiotics.

Abscess↗
PubMed1994

Influence of type of medullary nail on the development of local infection. An experimental study of solid and slotted nails in rabbits.

Any operation involving the implantation of a foreign body increases the risk of infection. The implant material and its surface, the dead space, and any necrosis or vascular changes play a significant role in susceptibility to infection. We investigated the effect of the dead space in an intramedullary nail on the rate of local infection. We inoculated the intramedullary cavities of rabbit tibiae with various concentrations of a human pathogen, of Staphylococcus aureus strain, and then inserted either a solid or a hollow slotted stainless-steel nail. We found a significantly higher rate of infection after use of the slotted nail (59%) than after the solid nail (27%) (p < 0.05).

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Infectious gastroenteritis in the immunocompetent child. Significance of Cryptosporidium spp. and Aeromonas ssp].

Over a one-year period we have examined 390 stool specimens from 210 children hospitalized for infectious gastroenteritis or in whom infectious gastroenteritis occurred during hospitalization. The most prevalent pathogens were rotaviruses (22.4%), followed by enteric salmonella (8.1%), Campylobacter jejuni/coli (2.4%), Cryptosporidium spp. (2.4%) and Aeromonas spp. (1.9%). Both Cryptosporidium spp. and Aeromonas spp. are important pathogens of infectious gastroenteritis in immunocompetent children in Switzerland. For both pathogens the most frequently observed clinical sign was self-limited, watery diarrhea with vomiting and fever often requiring parenteral rehydration. The laboratory findings in our patients revealed a left shift with a rise in total leukocyte count in Aeromonas infections only. Electrolytic disorders were frequently found in infections associated with either pathogen, while marked compensated metabolic acidosis was found with cryptosporidiosis only. This points toward a secretory component as part of the still unclear pathogenetic mechanism. Possible modes of infection in cryptosporidiosis are transmission by infected livestock (calves) and person-to-person communication, and in Aeromonas infections transmission by contaminated food or water. We recommend screening for both pathogens in infectious gastroenteritis of immunocompetent children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

[Meningococcal epidemic in a boarding school: a rifampicin-resistant secondary case while under chemoprophylaxis].

An epidemic of meningococcal disease after an influenza outbreak in a community of 49 boys (14-18 years) and 8 adults in a boarding-school is reported. The first patient died with all symptoms of the Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome. Several hours later, two other boys developed severe septicemia with meningitis and meningitis respectively. N. meningitidis group B susceptible to penicillin and rifampin was isolated. Within the next 8 hours, chemoprophylaxis with rifampin (600 mg twice daily) was started and maintained for 4 days for the whole community. Throat cultures had not been obtained before prophylaxis. Ten other symptomatic boys were admitted to the hospital and treated by penicillin infusion. The results of blood and cerebrospinal fluid cultures were negative, and treatment was therefore discontinued. Five days after the death of the first boy, another boy died with full-blown Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome while on chemoprophylaxis. The neisseriae isolated from this patient were rifampin-resistant. Serological investigations in all patients admitted to hospital revealed the existence of concomitant epidemic infection with influenza A and B in this school. We assume that the viral infection made way for the outbreak of the meningococcal disease and for the high rate of secondary meningococcal infection. Chemoprophylaxis with rifampin should not be continued for longer than 2 to 3 days, otherwise the risk of occurrence of rifampin resistant strains of N. meningitidis increases. Hitherto such strains have rarely been isolated in clinically manifest disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

[Nosocomial infections in a university hospital. Results of a prospective study of infections in a medical and surgical ward and a surgical intensive care unit].

The results of an 11-month pilot study of surveillance of nosocomial infections are reported. Prospective surveillance was performed by daily examination of the microbiology reports and daily visits by the infection control nurse to the ward for the review of charts and Kardex of all patients for detection of "infection clues". Work sheets were used to collect all data during the daily rounds. Infection rates were calculated by dividing the the total number of hospital-acquired infections by the total number of discharges during the surveillance period. Active surveillance was performed for 6 months in the surgical intensive care unit (SCIU), 5 months in the surgical ward (SW) and 9 months in the medical ward (MW). Of 1527 patients discharged from these wards, nosocomial infections developed in 158 patients (10.4%). The overall infection rate was 14% (214 nosocomial infections). The infection rate varied greatly from ward to ward due to different patient populations, invasive procedures and severity of underlying diseases. Incidence infection rates were 42.5% for the SICU, 19.6% for the SW and 4.1% for the MW. The major sites affected were surgical wounds (42%), urinary tract (23%), respiratory tract (19%) and bloodstream (8%). The major etiologic agents associated with these nosocomial infections were E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, enterococci and Staphylococcus aureus. Conclusions drawn from the results of surveillance are discussed. The major benefits of an effective surveillance program for nosocomial infections are (a) estimates of the endemic levels of nosocomial infection, (b) identification of the nosocomial pathogens commonly encountered within a given institution, (c) identification of risk factors and (d) prompt recognition of epidemics. These data provide the necessary basis for an effective infection control program.

Cross Infection↗
PubMed1982

[Sensitivity of bacteria to chemotherapeutic agents (Zurich 1980). Part I. Bacteria isolated from hospital patients].

The frequency with which various bacteria are isolated from samples of hospitalized patients and the occurrence of sensitivity to antimicrobial agents in these bacteria are described. Data were collected and summarized by an electronic data processing system. Sensitivity data were obtained with the disc diffusion test carried out by the Bauer/Kirby method. E. coli and S. aureus were the most frequently isolated organisms. Pseudomonas sp. (in 90% Pseud. aeruginosa) took second place behind E. coli among gramnegative rod bacteria. As a rule more than 50% of grampositive and gramnegative bacteria were sensitive to betalactam antibiotics and broad spectrum agents. Aminocyclitols were the most potent drugs. Strains resistant to netilmicin or amikacin were only exceptionally observed. A comparison of the occurrence of sensitive bacteria from 1975 to 1980 revealed that with rare exceptions no decrease of sensitivity to standard drug occurred in E. coli, the Klebsiella-Enterobacter-Serratia group, Pseudo. aeruginosa and S. aureus.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1982

[Sensitivity of bacteria to chemotherapeutic agents (Zurich 1980). Part II. Bacteria isolated from outpatients].

The frequency with which grampositive and gramnegative bacteria sensitive to antimicrobial agents are isolated from outpatients is reported. The data were obtained by the standardized Bauer/Kirby technique. Most of the strains examined proved to be sensitive to various betalactam antibiotics, to the tetracyclines, chloramphenicol and sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim. Aminocyclitols were the most potent drugs. No decrease in sensitivity to standard agents was observed from 1975 to 1980 in E. coli and S. aureus, the most frequently isolated organisms.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1981

[Mild spontaneous course of a case of pseudomembranous colitis. Case report and literature review].

Pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) caused by a toxin produced by Clostridium difficile is described in the literature as a severe diarrheal disease with a high mortality rate. A case which tends to absolve PMC from this reputation is reported involving an outpatient who developed well documented PMC subsequent to ampicillin therapy but required no treatment. The number of unreported cases of antibiotic-associated colitis with and without pseudomembrane formation is probably very high, since only severe cases of diarrhea are thoroughly investigated. In a chronological literature review an attempt is made to update the nomenclature of antibiotic-associated colitis. There are recent reports of a connection between the Clostridium difficile toxin and the chronic inflammatory "non-bacterial" intestinal diseases ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. The authors finally consider whether in cases of antibiotic-associated diarrhea efforts should be made to isolate Clostridium difficile and/or demonstrate the presence of its toxin, for the purposes of prognosis and therapy.

Ampicillin↗
PubMed1979

[Rubella infection during pregnancy. Results of serologic diagnosis 1975-1978].

The sera of 663 pregnant women with unknown immune status were tested for HI rubella antibodies between 1975 and 1978 because of exposure to rubella or presence of clinical symptoms. The majority of sera were from women in the first three months of pregnancy. Comparison of the distribution of antibody titers with those in a control group of 670 nonpregnant women of the same age showed no significant difference. The percentage of seronegative subjects was 8.6 in pregnant and 10.5 in nonpregnant women. Eighteen women (2.7%) became infected with rubella virus during pregnancy. Ten of these were devoid of rubella antibodies, representing 17.5% of the seronegatives. Diagnosis was confirmed by seroconversion and rise in antibody titer. The remaining 8 women had antibodies in the first blood specimen. Diagnosis was established by a fourfold or greater increase in titer or by the demonstration of rubella specific IgM-antibodies in a single specimen. It is of interest that almost all the pregnant women with rubella infection had clinical symptoms such as fever or exanthem. The results of this study show that the aim of complete rubella prophylaxis in women of childbearing age has not yet been achieved. It is therefore necessary to increase the uptake of rubella vaccine by schoolgirls and reduce the percentage of seronegative adult women by single vaccination and vaccination in the postpartum period.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Chlamydia trachomatis as possible cause of peritonitis and perihepatitis in young women.

Of 11 young women with acute peritonitis proved by laparoscopy, seven of whom also had perihepatitis, nine had serological evidence of recent infection with Chlamydia trachomatis; In five of these nine patients high antibody titres to chlamydiae were found without laboratory evidence of gonococcal infection, while the other four had evidence of simultaneous gonococcal infection. C trachomatis may play an important part in peritoneal inflammation previously attributed only to gonococci.

Adolescent↗