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Biomedical subjects

L Pinter

Publications and source records attributed to L Pinter.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Microbiological features of Staphylococcus schleiferi subsp. coagulans, isolated from dogs and possible misidentification with other canine coagulase-positive staphylococci.

Staphylococcus schleiferi subsp. coagulans has only rarely been isolated and identified from the external auditory meatus of dogs suffering from external otitis. Its morphological and basic biochemical characteristics are of relatively little value for identification, as it phenotypically resembles another coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS) and, consequently, may be easily misidentified as S. intermedius or even as S. aureus. In the present work, differentiation of S. schleiferi ssp. coagulans was therefore based on specific biochemical and genetic methods. All the strains were evaluated with the following commercial methods: Api Staph System (bioMérieux, Marcy l'Etoil, France), BBL Crystal Identification Systems (Gram-Positive ID Kit and Rapid Gram-Positive ID Kit; Becton Dickinson), and GEN-PROBE AccuProbe, Staphylococcus aureus identification test (bioMérieux). Gram-Positive ID System/GP database includes the broadest range of staphylococcal species and correctly identifies the majority of strains important in veterinary medicine. Therefore, it is an acceptable alternative to conventional methods for identification of canine staphylococcal isolates. Reliable differentiation of S. aureus from S. schleiferi ssp. coagulans and S. intermedius was feasible with AccuProbe for S. aureus, which gave positive results only for S. aureus; all other CPS tested were negative.

Animals↗

Serum-specific antibodies in rabbits naturally infected with Trichophyton mentagrophytes.

In the present study, we investigated the humoral immune response of rabbits to Trichophyton mentagrophytes (sensu lato) proteins obtained from keratin-rich media in vitro. The test rabbits were naturally infected with T. mentagrophytes. The production of keratinolytic enzymes in T. mentagrophytes was stimulated by growing cultures with keratin as a sole nitrogen source. The proteins were isolated from a protein extract prepared from the fungal mat. Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) showed three bands. Bands with Mr 20 and 30 kDa were glycosylated, whereas a band of 18 kDa was not. The rabbits' humoral immune responses to the total protein extract of T. mentagrophytes and to the proteins with keratinolytic activity was studied by immunoblotting. IgG from infected rabbits' sera revealed eight dominant bands with apparent molecular weights between 20 and 75 kDa. Bands of 20, 30 and 33 kDa appeared with a frequency rate of 76% only on immunoblots of infected rabbit serum. Using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we observed a significant increase in specific antibodies in a group of infected rabbits compared to a control group (P < 0.001). The ELISA exhibited 95% sensitivity and 83% specificity at the optimal cut-off value, with 90% predictive values of a positive and a negative result. Under these conditions, it could be used in the accurate detection of specific antibodies in sera of infected rabbits.

Animals↗

The feasibility of hand-assisted laparoscopic aortic bypass using a low transverse incision.

BACKGROUND: Hand-assisted laparoscopy can be used to perform aortoiliac reconstructive procedures. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of a hand-assisted aortofemoral bypass in patients with occlusive disease using a low abdominal transverse incision to reduce postoperative respiratory problems. METHODS: In 18 patients, a modified Pfannenstiel incision was performed. A hand-assist device was inserted, and the aorta was exposed using transperitoneal laparoscopy. Tunneling was performed under laparoscopic control. The anastomosis was always performed proximally to the inferior mesenteric artery. In three patients, the proximal anastomosis had to be performed laparoscopically. The indication for surgery was occlusive disease in 16 patients and a combination of an aneurysm and aortoiliac occlusion in 2 patients. RESULTS: Conversion was required in one patient (1/18). In 13 patients (13/18), the total operating time did not exceed 180 min, and 61% of the patients (11/18) could be discharged by postoperative day 5. None of the patients died perioperatively (0/18). Complications were observed in six patients (6/18). Only one of these patients had respiratory problems (1/18). The remaining five patients had local complications such as wound healing problems. The anastomosis was sutured laparoscopically in three patients (3/18). CONCLUSIONS: Hand-assisted laparoscopy can be performed safely using a low transverse abdominal incision. In our experience this laparoscopic access can reduce the incidence of postoperative respiratory problems and incision-related complications.

Aged↗

Laparoscopy-assisted aneurysm resection as a minimal invasive alternative in patients unsuitable for endovascular surgery.

OBJECTIVE: So far, endovascular surgery has been the only minimal invasive way to treat patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). With hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS), laparoscopic transperitoneal endoaneurysm repair can be performed through a 6-cm mini-incision only. We wanted to evaluate whether this laparoscopic technique can be offered as a minimal invasive alternative in patients unsuitable for endovascular AAA repair. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty patients were referred for endovascular AAA repair. Three patients had to be excluded from the study. Endovascular AAA exclusion was finally performed in 13 patients. Laparoscopic AAA resection was performed in 24 patients. Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery with transperitoneal access and endoaneurysm repair was accomplished in all patients unsuitable for an endovascular procedure. The outcome after endovascular repair was compared with the outcome of patients who underwent laparoscopy. RESULTS: In the laparoscopic group, conversion to an open procedure was necessary in one case. One patient in this group died (4.1%) postoperatively. There were four complications in each group. In the endovascular group we had one endoleak type II and one graft thrombosis, which required a reoperation. After endovascular treatment, patients were transferred significantly less frequently to the intensive care unit, and they could resume oral feeding earlier. Mobilization and postoperative hospital stay did not differ significantly between the groups. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic AAA resection with the use of the technique described can be routinely offered to patients unsuitable for endovascular AAA exclusion with excellent long-term results similar to open surgery. A controlled study is clearly indicated to evaluate the role of laparoscopic techniques in aneurysm surgery.

Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal↗

Detection by ELISA of the humoral immune response in rabbits naturally infected with Trichophyton mentagrophytes.

An indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed and its diagnostic potential evaluated for rabbits infected by Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Within-run and between-run coefficient of variance varied from 2.3 to 7.7% and from 5.9 to 8.5%, respectively, indicating satisfactory reproducibility of the ELISA. There was no significant cross-reaction with antigens of Microsporum canis, Malassezia pachydermatis and Aspergillus fumigatus. The level of specific IgG to Trichophyton mentagrophytes was measured in sera of 25 11-week-old and 12 younger infected rabbits. There was no significant difference in the IgG level between 12 5-week-old infected rabbits and controls (p = 0.38). The antibody response was higher in 12 7-week-old rabbits compared with controls (p = 0.001). The IgG level in 25 11-week-old rabbits differed from the controls very significantly (p < 0.0001). Increased specific IgG in 11-week-old rabbits exhibited 96% sensitivity and 94% specificity. Predictive values of a positive and a negative test were 96 and 94%, respectively. Western immunoblotting associated three protein bands (21.5, 31, 44 kDa) with Trichophyton mentagrophytes infection.

Animals↗

Leporacarus gibbus and Spilopsyllus cuniculi infestation in a pet rabbit.

A one-year-old male, chequered giant rabbit had a simultaneous infestation with both Leporacarus gibbus and Spilopsyllus cuniculi. Recurrent episodes of mild to severe pruritus had been noted over a period of two months. On clinical examination, partial alopecia and slightly erythematous skin with flea faeces was evident, although microscopic and cultural examinations of skin scrapings were negative for fungi. Parasitological examination, including adhesive tape strips of the rabbit's skin and fur, revealed L gibbus surface dwelling mites and the rabbit flea S cuniculi. The rabbit was successfully treated against both parasites with topical pyrethrin applied three times over a three-week period, and the clinical signs resolved in four weeks.

Alopecia↗

Humoral and cell-mediated responses to Malassezia pachydermatis in healthy dogs and dogs with Malassezia dermatitis.

The in vitro proliferative responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from seven healthy basset hounds exposed to Malassezia pachydermatis antigen (500 micrograms/ml) exceeded (P < 0.05) those of seborrhoeic basset hounds with high populations of M pachydermatis and eight Irish setters with gluten-sensitive enteropathy. The stimulation indices in the latter two groups and in eight healthy beagles were comparable. The stimulation indices of the four groups after exposure to phytohaemaglutinin did not differ significantly. The serum titres of M pachydermatis-specific IgG and IgA measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) in 21 seborrhoeic basset hounds and 11 affected dogs of various breeds exceeded those of 14 healthy basset hounds and eight healthy beagles (P < 0.01 for IgG, P < 0.05 for IgA). Total serum IgA concentrations measured by ELISA in the affected dogs were not lower than those of healthy dogs.

Animals↗

Chloramphenicol resistance in Staphylococcus intermedius from a single veterinary centre: evidence for plasmid and chromosomal location of the resistance genes.

A total of seven Staphylococcus intermedius cultures isolated from cases of canine pyoderma were investigated for the genetic basis of chloramphenicol resistance (Cmr). All of these S. intermedius isolates mediated Cmr via the expression of the Cm-inactivating enzyme chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT); the respective cat genes were found to be located on small multicopy plasmids of 3.1 to 4.1 kb in four of the seven cultures. The four Cmr plasmids, designated pSCS20-23, differed upon restriction endonuclease mapping. Hybridization experiments identified all of them to belong to the pC221-family of staphylococcal Cmr plasmids. The expression of all four plasmid-encoded cat genes was inducible with chloramphenicol. The remaining three S. intermedius isolates also harboured an inducible cat gene of the pC221-type which, however, was found to be located in the chromosomal DNA. These differences in the subcellular localisation and consequently in the number of cat gene copies per S. intermedius cell had no influence on the MIC values of Cm exhibited by the respective S. intermedius isolates.

Animals↗

Production and use of monoclonal antibodies to Microsporum canis.

Microsporum canis NCPF 179 and M. canis NCPF 177 dermatophyte cytoplasmic extracts (DCEs) were used as antigens to generate monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Hybridomas with supernatants of optical density (OD) > 1 for homologous dermatophyte cytoplasmic extracts (CE) and OD < 0.5 for heterologous CE of Candida albicans tested by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were selected for cloning. mAbs secreted by cloned hybridoma lines were screened against CE of M. canis, M. gypseum, M. equinum, M. distortum, Trichophyton verrucosum, C. albicans, Malassezia pachydermatis and Aspergillus fumigatus. The ELISA performed on clone supernatants identified a variety of different activities between the dermatophyte and other fungal CEs. The selected mAbs were used for immunoblotting of native and sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) gels. Immunoblots with some of the mAbs tested allowed the differentiation of strains belonging to different dermatophyte species and isolates belonging to the M. canis.

Animals↗

[Digestive hemorrhage as a complication of a pancreatic pseudocyst].

A study was made at the Padua University Second Surgical Clinic--located in Verona--on four cases of digestive haemorrhage in patients with pancreatic pseudo-cysts. The psysiopatological, diagnostic and therapeutic problems inherent in this pathology are discussed. In particular, attention is drawn to the need for and difficulty of marking a correct diagnosis in good time, and the utility, for such purpose, of endoscopic examinations and selective arteriography of the coeliac tripod and the superior mesenteric artery. Lastly, the various possibilities that surgery offers in the treatment of this disease are mentioned.

Adult↗