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Biomedical subjects

K Henry

Publications and source records attributed to K Henry.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis with intravitreal ganciclovir. Long-term results.

Long-term management of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis by intravitreal injection of ganciclovir was evaluated in ten patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Patients were unable to tolerate systemic ganciclovir because of severe neutropenia (8 cases), catheter-induced sepsis (1 case), or the need to continue therapy for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with zidovudine (ZDV) (1 case). All patients had a favorable response to initial treatment. Cytomegalovirus retinitis progressed in four fellow eyes in which treatment was deferred. Vision improved or remained stable in all but one eye. Patients were followed for a mean of 4 months and received an average of 16.6 intravitreal injections in each eye. Relapse occurred late in the course while on maintenance treatment in five eyes (33%). There was no evidence of toxicity from repeated intravitreal injections. Treatment was very well tolerated. The only severe complication in a total of 249 injections was a single case of Staphylococcus epidermidis endophthalmitis which responded to intravitreal antibiotic treatment. Intravitreal ganciclovir is an effective alternative to systemic ganciclovir in those patients with severe neutropenia and in those patients who desire to remain on systemic ZDV.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Myoglobin: an evaluation of its role as a marker of rhabdomyosarcomas.

Tumour markers now have an established role in tumour diagnosis and patient management. However, antibodies used to detect these tumour markers have in some instances proved unreliable, with a low rate of sensitivity and specificity. In this study we wished to evaluate the role of a commercial antibody to myoglobin as a marker of rhabdomyosarcomas. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the sensitivity and specificity of myoglobin antiserum as a marker of rhabdomyosarcomas. This was performed by reacting a large number of tumours (sarcomas, carcinomas and melanomas) with a polyclonal anti human myoglobin antiserum. Staining was demonstrated in 60% of rhabdomyosarcomas. Only two tumours from a total of 226 non-skeletal muscle tumours showed a positive reaction (0.88%). One was a leiomyosarcoma and the other had been classified as an undifferentiated sarcoma but a rhabdomyosarcoma was included in its differential diagnosis. It is of interest that both had been earlier irradiated. This antiserum was therefore a specific but not a very sensitive tumor marker. Its rate of staining of rhabdomyosarcomas is compared with the results in the literature. A great disparity is found and the reasons for this are discussed.

Adolescent↗

Influenza A pneumonitis in a patient infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Influenza A results in considerable morbidity, mortality and economic costs. Although immunoprophylaxis and chemoprophylaxis are targeted toward high-risk groups, persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have not been widely recognized as being at increased risk of influenza infection. We report a case of influenza A pneumonitis in a patient infected with HIV. The literature on influenza immunization of HIV-infected patients is reviewed and the implications for public health are discussed. Consideration should be given to influenza immunization and chemoprophylaxis in this enlarging population. Further investigation of the pathogenesis and epidemiology of influenza in HIV-infected patients is warranted.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Histologic features predictive of an increased risk of early local recurrence after treatment of breast cancer by local tumor excision and radical radiotherapy.

A histopathologic review was undertaken of 293 patients with breast cancer treated by local tumor excision and radical radiotherapy. In a 6-year period, there were 37 local treatment failures with 16 deaths, and an additional 20 patients died without local recurrence. Pathologic data were available for 272 patients. Multivariate analysis indicated that the pathologic features in an invasive tumor most predictive for local recurrence were the combination of a high proportion of intraduct carcinoma with extensive necrosis (comedocarcinoma). Of 18 patients with these features, nine have had early local recurrence (a risk of 50% with these features vs 10% in those without), and four have died (a risk of 22% against 12%). Despite the short follow-up, the results already appear significant, and the study is ongoing. The importance of comedonecrosis in the intraduct component as a prognostic indicator in invasive carcinoma of the breast is not widely recognized and might constitute a relative contraindication to conservative treatment of the breast.

Actuarial Analysis↗

Concurrent zidovudine levels in semen and serum determined by radioimmunoassay in patients with AIDS or AIDS-related complex.

Zidovudine was present in the semen and serum of six patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or the related complex who were receiving 200 mg of the drug orally every four to six hours. Mean semen zidovudine levels (as measured by a new radioimmunoassay) in samples collected 0.75 to 1.25 hours after oral dosing were 3.63 to 7.19 mumol/L. Levels in semen samples collected 3.0 to 4.5 hours after oral dosing were 1.68 to 6.43 mumol/L. These values are above the in vitro minimum inhibitory concentration for the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Mean serum concentrations at the early and late times after oral dosing were 0.22 to 3.07 mumol/L and 0.10 to 1.42 mumol/L, respectively. Ratios of semen/serum zidovudine levels ranged from 1.3 to 20.4. It is possible that a pH-dependent trapping mechanism, which has been described in the prostate for other antibiotics, was responsible for the relatively high semen levels observed.

AIDS-Related Complex↗

Human immunodeficiency virus antibody testing. A description of practices and policies at US infectious disease-teaching hospitals and Minnesota hospitals.

A questionnaire that asked about policies concerning the use of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody tests was sent in January 1987 to the 200 hospitals in the United States that conduct infectious disease (ID) fellowship training (US ID hospitals) and to all 171 short-term-care Minnesota hospitals. Information was received from 189 of the US ID hospitals (94.5%) and from 160 (94%) of the Minnesota hospitals. Only 49% of the US ID hospitals and 37% of the Minnesota hospitals had an HIV antibody test-ordering policy; 47% of the US ID hospitals and 39% of the Minnesota hospitals had a specific educational program for physicians about the HIV antibody test; and 62% of the US ID hospitals and 41% of the Minnesota hospitals had an HIV autopsy policy. Marked variety existed in approaches to handling test results, obtaining patient consent, and providing risk-reduction information among the hospitals surveyed. These data suggest the need for a consensus on optimal use of HIV antibody testing at hospitals.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Analysis of the use of HIV antibody testing in a Minnesota hospital.

We retrospectively studied the clinical use of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody serology at one 450-bed medical center and affiliated clinics from April 1985 through August 1986. No restrictions were placed on the use of HIV antibody serology during that time, although it was recommended that consent be obtained and risk-reduction information be provided. Testing was performed for 275 patients; results for 25 (9%) of these were positive. Nearly half (44%) of the patients had no recognized risk factor for HIV infection recorded in their charts. For an additional 44% of the patients, the test was medically indicated but consent and counseling were not documented. For only 10% of HIV antibody tests was there notation that consent was obtained and that risk-reduction information was provided. These results indicate that HIV antibody testing is often done without consent and that opportunities to provide risk-reduction counseling are being missed.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay↗

Antimicrobial agent resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae in St. Paul Minnesota.

In a prospective survey of 283 Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolated in St. Paul, Minnesota, 5% were found to produce beta-lactamase, and 11% were resistant to penicillin by chromosomal mediation, thus indicating a hyperendemic level of resistance according to Centers for Disease Control guidelines. A significant level of chromosomal resistance (30%) was noted for tetracycline, and MICs for spectinomycin approached the upper limits of susceptibility for a large number of isolates. The need for uniformity in agar dilution test methodology is discussed, and the variability in antimicrobial agent interpretive breakpoint criteria is illustrated by comparing penicillin breakpoints published by the Centers for Disease Control with those of the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards as applied to the study isolates.

Ceftriaxone↗

Comparison of transurethral resection to radical therapies for stage B bladder tumors.

We evaluated the survival rate and time to recurrence for 114 patients in whom an initial histological diagnosis of stage B1 or B2 bladder tumor was made between 1974 and 1983. The 5-year survival rates for stages B1 and B2 disease, respectively, were 63 and 38 per cent in 43 patients treated by transurethral resection alone, 48 and 54 per cent in 40 treated by preoperative radiation and radical cystectomy, 33 and 25 per cent in 15 treated by radical cystectomy alone, and 53 and 11 per cent in 16 treated by definitive radiation therapy alone. Similar results were found among the groups with regard to time to development of metastases. The distribution of stage, grade and number of tumors was not significantly different among the treatment groups. Patients in the transurethral resection group were older, and had smaller tumors and more medical problems. Comparing transurethral resection of muscle invasive bladder tumors to standard radical surgery with or without radiotherapy yielded comparable long-term survival and time to distant recurrence.

Actuarial Analysis↗

Recovery of human immunodeficiency virus from ocular tissues in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was recovered from multiple ocular tissues in three patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Consistently found in the retina, HIV was also detected in the conjunctiva, cornea, and iris. In two cases, HIV was detectable despite treatment with oral zidovudine. All three patients had bilateral cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis managed by intravitreal injection of ganciclovir. Culture of the retina for CMV was negative in all three cases. The finding of HIV in multiple ocular tissues is consistent with the neurotropic nature of the virus, and may explain some of the common ocular manifestations of AIDS such as AIDS retinopathy. Infection with HIV may predispose the retina to other opportunistic infections and may explain the high incidence of CMV retinitis in AIDS patients. This is the first report of HIV isolation from tissue within the eye.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Setting AIDS priorities: the need for a closer alliance of public health and clinical approaches toward the control of AIDS.

The approach to the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) taken by public health departments and clinicians varies. Public health programs often neglect the human side of AIDS while clinicians often overlook public health issues. Current research on AIDS has failed to address many fundamental questions including: the biology of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in semen; whether present antiretroviral therapy has any effect on sexual infectivity; and whether adequate counseling was given to persons in HIV discordant partner studies. These unanswered basic questions highlight how research efforts framed from clinical, basic science, or public health viewpoints may have too narrow a focus. Three suggestions are made: 1) additional studies about the biology of HIV in the genital tract need to be conducted; 2) clinical trials studying drug therapy of HIV infection need to assess effect on HIV in the genital tract; 3) clinicians involved in studies and care of HIV infection need to implement educational strategies minimizing transmission of HIV from their patients. More interaction between public health and clinical approaches toward AIDS is needed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Cyclosporine-associated nephropathy in patients with heart and bone marrow transplants.

The morphology of kidneys from heart (n = 55) and bone marrow (n = 112) transplant recipients treated either with cyclosporine (CSA) or conventional immunosuppression was investigated at autopsy. The major findings were: In the bone marrow transplant recipients glomerular collapse, tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis, striped form, CSA-associated arteriolopathy and thrombi in glomeruli and/or arterioles were more often found in the CSA group as compared to conventional immunosuppression. In the heart transplant recipients glomerular collapse and obsolescence, tubular atrophy and intimal fibrosis in arteries were more frequent in the CSA group. Vascular interstitial toxicity known to be associated with CSA treatment from renal transplant patients was found in 54% (25% severe) of the bone marrow and 19.5% (9.7% severe) of the the heart transplant recipients. The prevalence of vascular interstitial toxicity in bone marrow versus heart transplant recipients is possibly due to higher CSA dosage and pretreatment with cytostatic drugs and irradiation. Analyses of the lesions from early stages to the full picture of vascular interstitial toxicity suggests that CSA causes a form of thrombotic microangiopathy with focal glomerular and/or arteriolar thrombosis followed by typical CSA-associated arteriolopathy which results in interstitial fibrosis with tubular atrophy.

Adult↗