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Biomedical subjects

K Hashiguchi

Publications and source records attributed to K Hashiguchi.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

[Acute upper respiratory tract infections associated with Chlamydia pneumoniae].

From March 1990 to January 1991, a total of 46 outpatients with acute upper respiratory infections (URTI) were studied to determine the etiological role of Chlamydia pneumoniae. Sera from 40 patients were tested by micro-IF method for evidence of recent or past infections of this organism, and swab specimens from tonsilar crypt from 26 were cultured. Sera from 20 patients without any evidence of acute infectious disease were selected as controls. The seroprevalence of antibodies to C. pneumoniae was 52.5% in patients group and 30.0% in the control group. No statistical difference was found in seroprevalence between patients and controls. Serological evidence of acute infections with C. pneumoniae was found in 7 (17.5%) patients with acute URTI, but was not found in any of the control group. Of 26 patients, three (11.5%) had C. pneumoniae isolated from a tonsilar crypt swab specimen. Therefore ten of the 46 patients with acute URTI were associated with C. pneumoniae. It is suggested that C. pneumoniae is a common pathogen in acute upper respiratory infections without any evidence of lower respiratory tract symptoms.

Acute Disease

[Recovery of Chlamydia pneumoniae and Chlamydia trachomatis in a patient with recurrent tonsillitis, bronchitis and otitis media with effusion].

We report a case of recurrent tonsillitis and otitis media with effusion (OME) from which Chlamydia trachomatis was isolated. Chlamydia pneumoniae, a newly recognized species of Chlamydia, was also recovered from the tonsillar and bronchial swabs. A 8-year-old girl was seen on February 23, 1988, because of a running nose, a productive cough and bilateral hearing difficulty. She had a history of recurrent tonsillitis. The diagnosis was acute sinusitis with tubal obstruction, then cefixime was prescribed. Her symptoms were once resolved, for the time being but she came back to the hospital a week later with a bilateral ear-ache. The tympanic membranes were injected and characteristically retracted. Her left ear showed type B tympanogram (effusion). Tympanocentesis was performed to remove middle-ear effusion, from which C. trachomatis but no ordinary bacterium was isolated. Therefore rokitamycin 300 mg/day was administered for a week. Her condition improved, however, a rhinorrhea, a plugged ear sensation and a hacking cough returned in a month. She was admitted to the hospital on May 10, for tympanostomy and grommet insertion, but from the day before admission, she had a sore throat with fever (39.2 degrees C). The surgery was withheld until May 26. When adenotonsillectomy and grommets insertion were undertaken, C. trachomatis had disappeared from the middle-ear effusion, but C. pneumoniae was recovered from both tonsillar and bronchial swabs. Readministration of rokitamycin was performed and to date (June, 1990) she remains well.

Bronchitis

[Respiratory tract diseases due to Chlamydia pneumoniae].

A newly recognized chlamydial species, Chlamydia pneumoniae causes acute respiratory infections including pneumonia, bronchitis and pharyngitis. In this paper, eight cases of bronchitis and tonsillitis associated with C. pneumoniae are presented. Three cases came to the clinic because of persistent cough and productive sputum. C. pneumoniae was isolated from sputum of a patient and cultured in HeLa 229 cells. Other two patients were diagnosed serologically; Antibodies were measured by microimmunofluorescence using formalized elementary bodies of C. pneumoniae. A titer of 512 in the IgG class was detected. Four patients had sore throat. C. pneumoniae was isolated and cultured from tonsillar swabs in all of them. A patient with sore throat and cough diagnosed as pharyngolaryngitis was sero-positive. Antibodies to C. pneumoniae in IgG and IgM class were 128 and 32, respectively. All the patients were treated with macrolide antibiotics (erythromycin and rokitamycin), and clinical symptoms subsided. In five patients from whom the organism was isolated, the agents were eradicated by the treatment. However, clinical courses of those patients revealed that patient takes a long time to recover from the illness, if diagnosis and first choice of antimicrobial agent are not appropriate.

Adult

[Bronchial asthma associated with primary lung cancer--comparison of extrathoracic malignancies].

Regarding 249 bronchial asthma patients having been admitted to our division for the recent 9 years, clinical manifestations of 8 bronchial asthma with primary lung cancer (group A; squamous cell carcinoma--5 cases, adenocarcinoma--2 cases, small cell carcinoma--1 case; 3.2% of 249 cases) and 8 asthma patients with extrathoracic malignancy (group B; gastric cancer--3 cases, malignant lymphoma--2 cases, bladder cancer--1 case, laryngeal cancer--1 case, prostatic cancer--1 case) were investigated. In group A, the mean of asthmatic history was 19 years and all cases were associated with respiratory tract infections. Three of 8 patients, were mild type and other 5 were moderate type. In group B, the mean of asthmatic history was 20 years and all cases were involved with respiratory tract infections. Five of 8 patients were mild type and other 3 were moderate type. The mean smoking (Brinkmann) index (1194) in group A was significantly higher than that (166) in 241 asthmatic patients without lung cancer or that (169) in group B. The median survival duration (more than 26 months) of group A patients was significantly lower than that (more than 77 months) of group B. These results suggested that, in many bronchial asthma patients accompanied by primary lung cancer who have adult-typed infectious asthmatic history, smoking exposure and aging are deeply related to the development of lung cancer.

Adenocarcinoma

[A case of oral gold tablet-induced interstitial pneumonitis].

A 76-year-old woman was admitted with exertional dyspnea and chest roentgenographical abnormal shadows appearing after oral gold therapy (total 720 mg) for rheumatoid arthritis. Based on the patient's clinical course, chest roentgenograms, chest CT and pathological findings of TBLB specimens, gold pneumonitis was diagnosed. Steroid therapy improved symptoms and pulmonary function and cotton-like shadows on chest roentgenograms and chest CT scanning. However, linear and large ringed shadows on chest roentgenograms and chest CT scan remained, even after steroid therapy. This case is the first case of oral gold tablet-induced pneumonitis. Although the mechanism of oral gold tablet-induced pneumonitis is considered to be almost the same that of gold injection therapy-induced pneumonitis, this case suggested that fibrotic changes in oral gold tablet-induced pneumonitis may be delayed over a long period.

Administration, Oral

Otitis media with effusion associated with Chlamydia trachomatis infection in children.

In an attempt to discover the role of Chlamydia trachomatis in the pathogenesis of middle ear diseases, we examined middle ear effusions (MEEs) from 69 patients with otitis media with effusion (OME) for the presence of C. trachomatis and antibodies to the organism. Age distribution was 1 to 14 years (mean age 6.1 years). C. trachomatis was isolated by the culture method from MEE of 11 of 31 (35.5%) patients and from 2 of 5 (40.0%) nasopharyngeal specimens. Chlamydial antigen, however, was found in 29 MEEs from 57 patients (50.9%) using an immunofluorescent method (Syva, 'MicroTrak'). Antibodies to the agent were found in 23 MEEs of 40 patients (57.5%) using the Micro-IF test. Antigen and antibodies were determined at the same time and both were detected in 20 of 40 (50.0%) patients. Although the isolation rate for C. trachomatis from MEE was low, antigen and antibodies were detected in 50.0% of patients with OME. These results suggest the possibility that immune complexes are formed with C. trachomatis in the middle ear, and that these immune complexes cause the mucosal damage responsible for chronic middle ear mucosal irritation.

Adolescent

[Tonsillitis associated with Chlamydia trachomatis and antimicrobial therapy with rokitamycin].

Tonsillitis is the most common disease in the otorhinolaryngeal location. For most patients, tonsillitis is attributed to a group A streptococcal infection if the throat culture is positive for that organism or to a viral infection if the throat culture is negative. However, recent studies have shown that Chlamydia trachomatis can produce tonsillar infection. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of Rokitamycin, a 16-membered ring macrolide antibiotic agent, in the treatment of tonsillitis associated with C. trachomatis. In 26 of 28 (92.9%) patients from whom C. trachomatis was isolated, the organism was eradicated by antimicrobial treatment with Rokitamycin of five days to three weeks' duration. In 25 of the 26 patients, they were totally free of tonsillar symptoms.

Adult

Effect of Nd:YAG laser irradiation on human dental enamel.

The crystallographic alterations of the hydroxyapatite under the laser irradiation were evaluated by the x-ray diffraction pattern analysis and scanning electron microscopic observation. Recrystallization may occur in fused and resolidified dental enamel by the pulsed Nd: YAG laser irradiation. Two different grades of energy densities such as 400 pulses and 800 pulses were given to the powdered enamel. The irradiation was performed at a peak power of 500W with a pulse width of 10 msec.; the average output of 10W, spot size of 3mm and two pulses were given in every second. After the 800 pulses of Nd:YAG laser irradiation to the human dental enamel the x-ray diffraction pattern demonstrated both alpha-tricalcium phosphate and hydroxyapatite peaks. With the lower level of energy at 400 pulses, no significant differences were seen in the diffraction patterns between lased and unlased enamel. In scanning electron microscopic findings, there were no significant changes between lased and unlased enamel. When the unlased and lased enamel were exposed to acid solution, unlased enamel showed a honeycomb pattern, while the lased enamel showed preferentially removed prism core material.

Crystallization

[Detection of herpes simplex virus, varicella zoster virus and cytomegalovirus in aphthous stomatitis].

Attempts were made to demonstrate herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and type 2, varicella zoster virus (VZV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) in specimens obtained from aphthous ulceration lesions by the immunofluorescent method using fluorescein-labeled monoclonal antibodies. HSV-1 and VZV were detected in 2 and 4 out of 30 patients, respectively. Although almost all viruses that can infect the oral cavity could occasionally cause stomatitis, neither HSV-2 nor CMV was not found in this study. VZV was detected in 1 out of 8 patients with recurrent aphthous ulceration. After treatment with acyclovir, the patient's symptoms has become less severe and recurrence rates of attacks reduced, however, the patient has not been totally free of the disease. There were no differences in clinical aspects of stomatitis between the patients with and without viral isolation. Further clinical investigation is encouraged to confirm the relationship between aphthous stomatitis and viral infection.

Acyclovir

[Supplemental studies on self-curing resins. 2. On polymerizing temperature of reline materials].

The objective of this study was to find the best way to keep down the peak temperature of self-curing reline materials. The experiments were done by using three kinds of self-curing reline materials (Rebaron, REBASE and KOOLiner) and three kinds of the reline materials of different thickness (1.5mm, 2mm and 3mm) under three different intraoral conditions. When these reline materials cured under rinsing the mouth with cold water (18 degrees C), the data analysis of these reline materials showed a considerable reduction in the peak curing temperatures clinical acceptance. The results obtained were as follows: 1. Both extraoral and interoral curing tests showed that the thicker the material is the higher the peak temperature becomes. 2. Highly significant differences in time to the peak temperature were found among the three kinds of reline materials. 3. Dangerously high temperature was found in polymerizing of the thickest material, 3mm.

Denture Liners

[A case of hemoptysis due to administration of an anti-thrombotic drug].

A 63-year-old woman was referred to our division because of massive hemoptysis (200 ml) after administration of ticlopidine, an anti-thrombotic drug, for prevention of recurrent brain infarction. Ticlopidine treatment was stopped on the first hospital day, thereafter the patient's hemoptysis immediately disappeared. A chest roentgenogram and broncho-fiberscopic examination did not reveal any organic lesion associated with hemoptysis. Laboratory data revealed prolonged bleeding time and decreased platelet aggregation, suggesting that the patient had had a hemorrhagic diathesis associated with the administration of ticlopidine. Although many anti-thrombotic drugs have been recently employed in a variety of clinical cases, the patient's hemoptysis was considered to be due to side effects.

Cerebral Infarction

[A case of polycythemia vera associated with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia successfully treated by alkylating agents].

A 62-year-old female was referred to our division because of general fatigue, low grade fever and exertional dyspnea for 2 months. Laboratory data and chest roentgenograms on admission revealed polycythemia vera associated with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. Alkylating therapy with carboquone and cyclophosphamide resulted in the improvement of abnormalities on chest X-ray films which had previously shown decreased lung fields and abnormal interstitial shadows, as well as hematological abnormalities. Six months later, the results of the patient's pulmonary function tests and arterial blood gas analysis became within normal limits. Little information about polycythemia vera associated with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia is available. This case indicated that alkylating therapy with no steroidal combination is effective for idiopathic interstitial pneumonia.

Alkylating Agents

[Emergency cardiopulmonary bypass for cardiopulmonary-cerebral resuscitation].

Cardiopulmonary bypass (C-P bypass) was performed on two patients who had not responded to conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The first patient, a 56-y-o male, with bilateral pulmonary thromboembolism repeatedly underwent cardiac massage and electric defibrillation for recurrent ventricular fibrillation. A veno-arterial bypass route was prepared during cardiac massage, and bypass circulation was started 3 hours after the onset of the first ventricular fibrillation. Soon after the initiation of C-P bypass, the physical status and EEG of the patient improved. The patient regained consciousness within a few hours and later underwent open chest pulmonary embolectomy. The second patient, a 44-y-o male, developed refractory cardiogenic shock near the end of aortocoronary bypass graft operation. Under closed chest massage, a femoro-femoral cardiopulmonary bypass operation was started. Soon after the initiation of the bypass circulation and IABP, peripheral circulation improved markedly, and consciousness returned within several hours. Though the first patient finally died from far advanced pulmonary embolism, he was conscious as long as the C-P bypass was continued for two days. In the second patient, the cardiac function gradually improved after the 3rd day. C-P bypass was tapered and discontinued on the 5th day. Emergency veno-arterial bypass for CPR is effective means to maintain life until the cardiopulmonary and cerebral functions are restored. Recent advances in emergency C-P bypass are introduced and a new acronym extracorporeal lung and heart assist, ECLHA, is proposed. Emergency ECLHA with veno-arterial cannulations through percutaneous puncture will become a promising adjunct of cardiopulmonary-cerebral resuscitation in the near future.

Adult

Designed gene amplification on the Bacillus subtilis chromosome.

We previously reported the cloning of a 1.6 kb HindIII fragment (containing the junction of the repeating unit) from chromosomal DNA of Bacillus subtilis strain B7 in which tandem amplification of a 16 kb region occurred, and the induction of B7-type gene amplification by competence transformation with this cloned fragment. Based on this result, we designed, on the B. subtilis chromosome, a gene amplification of the 22 kb repeating unit containing the alpha-amylase structural gene (amyE), the tunicamycin-resistance gene (tmrB) and the shikimate kinase structural gene (aroI). We cloned only two short DNA fragments from both termini of the 22 kb region, constructed a junction structure of the designed repeating unit on pBR327 and transformed a B. subtilis wild-type strain by this constructed plasmid. As a result, we succeeded in obtaining tunicamycin-resistant (Tmr) transformants in which the designed gene amplification of 22 kb occurred on the chromosome. The Tmr transformants showed high productivity of alpha-amylase and shikimate kinase. The copy number of the repeating unit was estimated to be 10-20. This system may provide an effective means of amplifying long (greater than 20 kb) DNA regions on the chromosome.

Amylases

Chlamydia trachomatis: a currently recognized pathogen of tonsillitis.

The authors investigated whether or not Chlamydia trachomatis could be isolated from tonsillar crypts in order to establish directly the relationship of the organism to the tonsillar infection. In 17 of 65 (26.2%) cases with tonsillitis, C. trachomatis was recovered from tonsillar crypts. Ten of the 17 Chlamydia-positive patients were attended for recurrent sore throat and 5 for lingering tonsillitis. Thirteen of the 17 cases had serum antibody to C. trachomatis. We also isolated this microorganism from one of 18 persons complaining of a lumpy throat. Eleven of the 18 Chlamydia-positive patients had pertinent histories of oro-genital sexual activity, and pharyngeal infection apparently resulted from direct inoculation. The available data suggest that tonsillitis, the most common problem in otorhinolaryngology, may be caused by C. trachomatis more often than has been suspected.

Antibodies, Bacterial

A study on the adjuvant activity of palatine tonsil.

The involvement of non-specific factors in the onset of focal infection should never be ignored. We pay attention to the adjuvant activity of tonsil as one of various kinds of nonspecific factors. We confirmed the presence of such substances with adjuvant activity as lipopolysaccharides and muramyl dipeptide in the lacunar debris of tonsil. Then, using experimental animals with adjuvant induced arthritis, the study was made to determine whether the lacunar debris actually exerts adjuvant activity. We demonstrated the presence of adjuvant activity in the lacunar debris.

Adjuvants, Immunologic