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Biomedical subjects

M A Alvarado

Publications and source records attributed to M A Alvarado.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

[Lyme disease in Chile. Prevalence study in selected groups].

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of Lyme disease in Chile is unknown. AIM: To study the existence and epidemiology of Lyme disease in Chile. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred eighteen patients with signs or symptoms suggestive of Lyme disease were studied. Antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi were measured using ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence screening tests. Positive cases were confirmed with ELISA using a purified antigen and Western Blot analysis. Human biological samples and ticks were cultured in BSK-H medium. RESULTS: Five patients, three with dermatological manifestations and two with facial palsy and other neurological symptoms, had antibodies against Borrelia, measured by ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence. However the presence of IgM antibodies by ELISA using purified antigen, was confirmed in only one case. All sera and cerebrospinal fluids were negative on Western Blot Analysis. No plasma, skin, CSF or thick culture yielded Borrelia CONCLUSIONS: We could not confirm the existence of Lyme disease in Chile. Positive screening with negative confirmatory test suggests false positive non-specific reactivity or that local Borrelia are antigenically different compared to North American strains.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Anticardiolipin antibodies in connective tissue diseases].

The incidence of anticardiolipin (ACL) antibodies in connective tissue disorders other than systemic lupus was investigated in 113 subjects: 68 had rheumatoid arthritis, 23 primary Sjogren syndrome and 22 had systemic sclerosis. VDRL, thromboplastin time and determination of IgG and IgM ACL antibodies (ELISA) were performed in all subjects. Overall, 45% of patients were positive for ACL antibodies, mostly of the IgG variety (90%). No differences were observed among the investigated diseases. Positive ACL antibodies were not related to evidence of antiphospholipid syndrome nor to clinical characteristics of the different diseases. These results confirm that ACL antibodies may be present in connective tissue disorders other than systemic lupus, but they do not predict the development of antiphospholipid syndrome nor help to characterize the severity of the disease.

Antibodies, Anticardiolipin↗
PubMed1991

[Anticardiolipin antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus: prevalence and clinical associations].

Anti-cardiolipin antibodies have been recently described in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune disorders. Venous and arterial thrombosis, thrombocytopenia and recurrent abortion have been associated to the presence of these antibodies. Among 161 patients with systemic lupus we found 66% with anticardiolipin antibodies, mostly IgG type. Thrombosis and thrombocytopenia were more frequent in these patients (p < 0.05), especially among those with high titers. No association was found with central nervous system involvement, recurrent abortion, antinuclear or anti-DNA antibodies nor positivity for VDRL. These results support the frequent presence of anti-cardiolipin antibodies in patients with systemic lupus and their association to thrombosis and thrombocytopenia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Thyroid disease in progressive systemic sclerosis].

There is no agreement wither thyroid disease is a common feature of progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS). We evaluated 28 patients with proven PSS with determinations of T3, T4, TSH and Tg as well as antimicrosomal autoantibodies. Radioactive I uptake, thyroid scintigraphy, TRH test and fine needle biopsy were performed in selected patients. Twelve (43%) patients had clinical or laboratory evidence of thyroid dysfunction. Four patients had euthyroid goiter, 3 had evidence of autoimmune disease, 2 had chronic Hashimoto's thyroiditis, 1 was hypothyroid, 1 hyperthyroid and one has subacute thyroiditis. The CREST variant of PSS was most commonly associated with thyroid pathology. Our results indicated that thyroid disease is frequently associated to PSS. A complete clinical and laboratory evaluation is needed to confirm its presence.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[Behçet's disease].

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Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Cytogenetics and cytochemistry of leukemia patients in 2 neotropical hospitals].

A cytogenetic and/or cytochemical study was performed in 166 individuals with leukemia or related disorders, in two major Costa Rican hospitals. In those patients treated at an adult's hospital (14 years old and over), acute leukemias represented 66% of all cases. In that hospital the most frequent types of disorders were, in decreasing order: ANLL (> M1), ALL, CML (all of them showed the Ph chromosome) and MDS. In the cases from a childrens' hospital (< 14 years old) acute leukemias were 98%. Among them the order of frequency was: ALL (70%): ALL-1 (84%), ALL-2 (16%) and ANLL (27%): M5a > M3 > M4 > M5b. In ALL 85% were type B and occurred mostly in women while 15% of them were type T and more frequent in males. There was 5.6% infant leukemia, which presented a similar number of acute lymphoids and myeloids. The cytogenetic pattern was similar among Costa Rica and other tropical and temperate countries.

Adolescent↗