Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J T Sinnott

Publications and source records attributed to J T Sinnott.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Influenza. More than mom and chicken soup.

Influenza is an epidemic respiratory illness caused by one of three viral subtypes: A, B, or C. Influenza A causes higher mortality than influenza B and C and is often responsible for pandemics and yearly epidemics of this common, infectious disease. Clinically, patients with influenza present with an abrupt onset of fever, malaise, headache, and a dry, hoarse cough. These symptoms usually last three to five days. Amantadine and rimantadine may be used to prevent and to treat influenza A infection, but not B or C. Ribavirin, however, may be effective treatment for severe influenza pneumonia caused by either A or B subtype, although it is not FDA approved for this application. Annual influenza vaccination should be administered between mid-October and mid-November to any person at increased risk for complications. Health-care workers, those in close contact with high-risk individuals, and personnel vital to community function should also be immunized.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed1996

Transient aplastic anemia caused by parvovirus B19 infection in a heart transplant recipient.

Parvovirus B19 infection in the transplant patient is rarely reported, although cases have occurred in patients with bone marrow, liver, and renal transplants and in children undergoing heart transplantation. We present the first reported case of an orthotopic heart transplant recipient with aplastic crisis caused by parvovirus B19. The infection was diagnosed by bone marrow biopsy, confirmed by serologic studies and polymerase chain reaction, and successfully treated with intravenous immunoglobulin.

Anemia, Aplastic↗
PubMed1995

Seabather's eruption.

Seabather's eruption is an unusual rash that develops in individuals who have been swimming in the ocean. We report the case of a 25-year-old woman who had the rash in a typical bathing suit distribution. Several species of cnidarian larvae have been implicated in causing the disease. Symptomatic treatment is the mainstay of therapy for this self-limited rash. Preventive measures allow patients to avoid the disease altogether.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Management of the transplant recipient with pulmonary infection.

Pneumonia is a common and potentially fatal complication of transplantation. The clinical approach to this problem requires a multipronged attack. Thorough evaluation of the donor and recipient reduces the risk of infection while pointing to likely infectious complications to be anticipated posttransplant. Careful attention to infection control measures with emphasis on handwashing, high efficiency particulate air filtration, and aggressive outbreak investigation minimizes nosocomial pneumonias. Appropriate use of vaccines and prophylactic antimicrobial therapies decreases posttransplant morbidity and mortality. Once pneumonia occurs, a rapid, thorough diagnostic evaluation increases the likelihood of survival for the individual patient and focuses attention on environmental risks that may pose a hazard to the other transplant recipients in the clinician's institution.

Humans↗
PubMed1994

Barriers to immunization--an examination of factors that influence the application of pneumococcal vaccine by house staff.

Pneumococcal infection is a leading cause of adult morbidity and mortality in the United States. Immunization against this infection is a valuable strategy in preventive medicine. An effective pneumococcal vaccine has been available in this country for over a decade, but it remains poorly utilized. The purpose of the present investigation was to analyse the factors that affect the use and administration of the pneumococcal vaccine and to identify barriers to use. Upper-level internal medicine residents (n = 33) from two medical clinics associated with an academic medical centre completed an explanatory survey. This explored the levels of house-staff knowledge, perception and attitudes regarding the vaccine and the existence of practical barriers against its utilization. chi 2 analyses and z tests were carried out to determine significance, where appropriate. The majority of the house staff (22, 66.7%) answered correctly regarding vaccine target groups, and all residents indicated that they generally obtain a vaccination history in adult patient evaluation. However, a sizeable number (14, 42.4%) did not indicate a time of the year when they routinely administered vaccines to patients. They were not confident about their knowledge regarding vaccine guidelines (23, 69.7%) and had an exaggerated fear of hypersensitivity reactions from immunization (20, 60.6%). Neither the expense of the vaccine nor adverse publicity were impediments to immunization (24, 72.7% and 28, 84.8%, respectively). Although most physicians knew of the usefulness of the vaccine (31, 93.9%), many failed to translate this knowledge into clinical practice (22, 66.7%). 'Pressing' clinical issues were viewed as barriers to vaccination (18, 54.5%) and placed the practice of preventive medicine in a subordinate position.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Probing for answers. Use of DNA probes in infectious diseases.

Diagnostic molecular biology is at the forefront in the diagnosis of infectious diseases. Through the use of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) probes in conjunction with other molecular techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), physicians will be able to more rapidly and accurately diagnose causative agents in a variety of infectious diseases. This article will focus on the molecular basis of these techniques, how they may aid the physician in patient diagnosis, and the shortcomings of this new and exciting technology.

Communicable Diseases↗
PubMed1993

Kaposi's sarcoma mimicking cellulitis.

Although Kaposi's sarcoma is not the most common cause of death in AIDS patients, it is often one of the initial opportunistic illnesses associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection. Extensive plaque formation and edema in the lower extremities may take on the appearance of cellulitis, and in dark-skinned persons, the lesions of the neoplasm may not be noticeable. Treatment is palliative; therapy for local effect is appropriate unless lesions are extensive or systemic involvement is present.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1993

Hantavirus: an old bug learns new tricks.

Hantaviruses are a diverse group of RNA arboviruses in the Bunyaviridae family. Although their role as the causative agents of HFRS has been well established, the recent outbreak of a new disease in the Southwest clearly demonstrates the protein clinical manifestations that this pathogen can produce. Furthermore, whereas hantaviruses have been characterized largely as focal agents in the production of geographically delimited diseases, recent trends indicate that endemic areas for the virus are expanding. Outbreaks often occur in clusters as a result of the epizoology of rodent hosts, but isolated cases of hantavirus-related disease also may be observed. Although hantaviruses have proven their pathogenic capability in other areas of the world, it was perceived widely that they were of little consequence to public health in the United States. However, as more is learned about the nature of this truly global infectious agent, its potential danger to mankind becomes increasingly apparent. It is hoped that continued research will elucidate all the facets of hantavirus-induced disease.

Disease Outbreaks↗
PubMed1993

Lithium-induced nephrogenic diabetes insipidus treated with indomethacin.

NDI occurs in 5% to 20% of patients receiving long-term lithium therapy. The associated polyuria usually resolves within 3 weeks of lithium discontinuance but can persist beyond a year. For such patients, hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride therapy has been hampered by the delayed effect and intrinsic side effects of these agents. We have described the case of a 66-year-old man with a history of bipolar disorder treated with lithium who was transferred to the intensive care unit with coma. Indomethacin therapy, at a dose of 50 mg every 8 hours, was begun and improvement of the NDI state was observed within 3 hours of lithium administration. There was complete normalization of mental status and laboratory studies after 36 hours. A complete 3-week course of indomethacin was required to keep the patient free of symptoms of NDI. We have also discussed the role of indomethacin in reversing lithium-induced NDI and reviewed pertinent prior reports in the literature.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1992

Ehrlichiosis.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

BK virus.

BK virus is a human polyoma virus that infects the renal epithelium and remains latent until immunosuppression triggers reactivation. After reactivation, BK virus can be detected in the urine by methods currently available in the clinical laboratory. Correlations can be made between BK viruria and the occurrence of both renal and hepatic pathologies. BK virus is emerging as a significant pathogen in transplant patients. Additionally, the presence of BK virus DNA in primary brain and pancreatic tumors suggests that it may have oncogenic potential. Thus far, attempts to treat BK virus infection have been ineffective, though research has opened new avenues for treatment possibilities. Prevention of BK virus and other latent viral reactivation remains a challenge to viral research.

BK Virus↗
PubMed1992

An interesting case presentation: peripartum meningococcal meningitis.

Meningococcal disease during pregnancy is extremely rare. A single reported case occurred more than 20 years ago in England. We present the case of a young woman who just hours after delivery of her baby developed fulminant meningococcal meningitis with its classic findings. Our experience illustrates the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate therapy of meningococcal disease in the gravid as well as in the nongravid population.

Adult↗