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Biomedical subjects

L F Harris

Publications and source records attributed to L F Harris.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Intravenous antibiotics at home.

Intravenous antibiotics can be administered safely and effectively and at substantially less cost in a home environment. Patients who are candidates for this treatment must be in stable condition clinically, possess a ready venous access, and show the mental and physical capabilities required to administer intravenous medication. Antibiotics must be delivered promptly and retain their sterility and activity until infusion. Close monitoring of the patient during therapy is essential. Orthopedic infections, mainly osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, and bursitis, have thus far been our most frequently treated infections, with Staphylococcus aureus, aerobic gram-negative bacilli, and S epidermidis the most commonly encountered pathogens. Penicillins, cephalosporins and aminoglycosides have been given most often. Cure rates have exceeded 85%, and many patients resume usual activities during treatment. Complications are unusual, cost savings are substantial, and patient satisfaction is maximal.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Chronic mandibular osteomyelitis.

Chronic osteomyelitis of the mandible is an infrequently reported condition, but recent experience with six cases over a 14-month period suggests it is more common than appreciated. Chronic mandibular osteomyelitis results from odontogenic infection, postextraction complication, trauma, or irradiation to the mandible. Clinical findings include local pain and swelling and trismus, but constitutional symptoms are unusual. Radiologic examination discloses radiolucent areas, bony destruction, and sequestrum formation. Pathogenic organisms are normal oral flora, Staphylococcus aureus, and aerobic gram-negative bacilli. Chronic mandibular osteomyelitis must be differentiated from malignant disease involving the mandible. Diagnosis is accomplished by bone biopsy and culture. Treatment involves through surgical debridement and prolonged antimicrobial therapy. Osteoradionecrosis of the mandible is extremely recalcitrant to conventional therapy, but aggressive surgery and treatment have proven effective.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Coagulase-negative staphylococcal endocarditis: a view from the community hospital.

Review of our experience with infectious endocarditis at a single community hospital showed coagulase-negative staphylococci to be our leading cause of endocarditis. The pathogenesis of coagulase-negative staphylococcal endocarditis (CNSE) involved either hematogenous seeding of native or prosthetic valves, or direct implantation at surgery. Cases involving native valves demonstrated an acute onset and rapidly deteriorating course, while prosthetic valve endocarditis was more indolent; both types were associated with multiple complications. Although the number of our cases is small, mortality from native valve CNSE was higher than that of prosthetic valve endocarditis. Patients treated medically fared better than those receiving both medical and surgical treatment, though the medically treated group may not have been as ill as those having valve replacement. Vancomycin caused serious adverse effects in two of the five patients receiving it.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Listeriosis.

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Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Sporotrichosis, a hazard of outdoor work or recreation. Three illustrative cases.

Persons whose work or recreation exposes them to minor trauma out of doors are at risk for sporotrichosis. The disease is generally indolent, with the lymphocutaneous form being by far the commonest. Extracutaneous disease may affect the bones or joints, lungs, or other foci. Isolation of the fungus Sporothrix schenckii from involved tissue establishes the diagnosis. Saturated solution of potassium iodide is the first-line treatment of lymphocutaneous disease. Intravenous amphotericin B is used for lesions not responding to saturated solution of potassium iodide and, occasionally, excision of lesions is required. Amphotericin B also is the treatment of choice for extracutaneous sporotrichosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Brain abscess: recent experience at a community hospital.

Brain abscess is a formidable diagnostic and therapeutic problem with mortality ranging from 35% to 65%. It may occur at any age, and there is a male:female ratio of 2:1. Brain abscess arises from a contiguous focus of infection, direct implantation due to trauma, or hematogenous spread from a remote site. The commonest organisms isolated from brain abscess include streptococci, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacteroides species, and Enterobacteriaceae. Brain abscess frequently produces headache, vomiting, focal neurologic signs, and depressed level of consciousness. Fever and leukocytosis often are absent. Diagnosis is suggested by computerized tomography, but most cases require surgical confirmation. Optimal management consists of intensive antibiotic therapy. Aggressive surgical treatment is required in cases not responding to antimicrobial therapy. Long-term neurologic deficit occurs in up to 60% of cases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Enteral hyperthermia.

We have presented a previously unreported complication of enteral hyperalimentation, namely drug-induced fever due to tube feeding formula. Clinicians caring for patients receiving enteral hyperalimentation should be alert to this complication so that needless tests and medications can be avoided.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

The impact of routine isolation techniques for Campylobacter jejuni in stool cultures.

Campylobacter jejuni is recognized as a leading cause of bacterial diarrhea. We studied the impact of performing routine isolation techniques for C jejuni in stool cultures in a community hospital. Since instituting such techniques, we have found C jejuni to be the leading cause of bacterial diarrhea at our hospital. Clinical and laboratory manifestations and treatment did not distinguish patients with C jejuni from patients with Salmonella species isolated from the stool. We believe that microbiology laboratories should incorporate routine measures for detecting C jejuni in fecal specimens.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1985

Psittacosis.

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Adult↗