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Biomedical subjects

M C Zacharisen

Publications and source records attributed to M C Zacharisen.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Rapidly fatal Haemophilus influenzae serotype f sepsis in a healthy child.

A previously healthy 4-year-old child became acutely ill with vomiting and low-grade fever. The following day she suddenly became limp and unresponsive. She experienced acute septic shock and despite aggressive treatment died. Blood cultures grew ampicillin-resistant Haemophilus influenzae type f. There was no evidence of bacterial pneumonia or meningitis. To our knowledge, this represents the first case of fatal H. influenzae type f sepsis in a child without an identifiable focus or underlying predisposing condition. Despite the overwhelming success of the H. influenzae type b vaccine, physicians need to be aware of the potential for severe and fatal H. influenzae infections other than type b.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed2001

Rib pain in a 23-year-old woman with severe asthma.

This case illustrates the importance of considering a wide range of diagnoses in patients complaining of rib, flank, and pleuritic pain. Further, additional evaluation is warranted when "pneumonia" does not respond to conventional treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Anaphylaxis to dill.

BACKGROUND: Allergic symptoms caused by spices and herbs are infrequent and usually mild, although occasionally, severe allergic reactions do occur. Symptoms of pruritus, rhinitis, cough, and edema have been reported to spices including curry, paprika, pepper, and mustard. To our knowledge, this is the first case of confirmed dill allergy, and the patient had severe allergic symptoms. OBJECTIVE: It is important to alert physicians to the possibility of allergic reactions caused by dill. METHODS AND RESULTS: The patient, who has a history of allergic rhinitis, developed symptoms of oral pruritus, tongue and throat swelling, urticaria, and immediate vomiting and diarrhea following ingestion of foods cooked with dill and subsequently with inhalation of foods prepared with dill. Skin testing with fresh dill preparation was positive. CONCLUSION: These findings confirm that dill can cause IgE-mediated reactions.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Functional airway obstruction mimicking tongue angioedema.

BACKGROUND: Functional causes of upper airway obstruction have focused primarily on psychogenic stridor associated with paradoxical vocal cord dysfunction. Angioedema can involve upper airway structures and be life-threatening. CASE REPORT: We report a 12-year-old female with upper airway obstruction from posterior tongue swelling which was determined to be a conversion reaction. METHODS & RESULTS: A lateral neck film revealed severe tongue swelling. Examination revealed a calm, cooperative patient in no distress but exhibiting inspiratory and expiratory stridor. A computed tomography scan revealed soft tissue fullness at the base of the tongue without associated lymphadenopathy. Laboratory evaluation was normal. With anesthetic induction in the operating room, there was complete relaxation of the upper airway with no evidence of tongue swelling, mass, or other abnormality. Following tongue biopsy, she had no reoccurrence of the tongue mass. CONCLUSION: This case represents a childhood conversion reaction of functional airway obstruction where tongue manipulation simulated tongue swelling radiographically consistent with angioedema.

Airway Obstruction↗
PubMed1998

Anaphylaxis to rabbit: a case report.

BACKGROUND: While rabbits are common as pets, severe allergic reactions to domestic rabbits in homes are unusual. Typically, allergic manifestations are mild to moderate allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, pruritus and/or asthma in laboratory animal caretakers with frequent exposure. METHODS: We report an atopic child with a severe allergic reaction following inhalant exposure to a rabbit. We performed percutaneous skin tests and determined serum-specific IgE to commercial preparation of rabbit epithelium and extracts of rabbit fur and serum. RESULTS: Percutaneous skin test was positive to rabbit epithelium. The patient had elevated serum-specific IgE to rabbit epithelium and fur but not to rabbit serum.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMed1998

The spectrum of respiratory disease associated with exposure to metal working fluids.

Occupational respiratory diseases have been reported following exposure to metal working fluids. We report a spectrum of respiratory illnesses occurring in an outbreak in 30 workers of an automobile parts engine manufacturing plant. Workers presented with respiratory complaints and, after clinical and laboratory evaluations, were classified as those having hypersensitivity pneumonitis, occupational asthma, or industrial bronchitis, or those without occupational lung disease. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis affected seven workers, with six exhibiting serum precipitins to Acinetobacter Iwoffii. Occupational asthma and industrial bronchitis affected 12 and six workers, respectively. Oil-mist exposures were below current recommendations. Gram-negative bacteria, but no fungi, Thermophiles, or Legionella, were identified. Although specific agents responsible for each individual case could not be identified, probably both specific sensitizing agents and non-specific irritants from metal working fluids, additives, or contaminants contributed to this spectrum of occupational respiratory illness.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty in children.

This report describes the results and follow-up of 27 patients undergoing pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin where this procedure has been performed since 1985. The valvuloplasty data at catheterization as well as follow-up echocardiograms when available were retrospectively reviewed. For 26 patients, the transvalvar gradient changed from a mean of 72 mm Hg + 5.2 (SEM) to 29 mm Hg + 4.4 (SEM) (p 0.00001) a mean gradient reduction of 58%. No major complications were reported and no patient went on to surgical valvotomy. Follow up echocardiograms were available for 26 patients. Average estimated transvalvar pressure gradients by continuous wave Doppler echocardiography were 28 mm Hg at one day (13 patients), 20 mm Hg at mean 1.5 months (18 patients), 23 mm Hg at mean 8.8 months (12 patients), and 19 mm Hg at mean 26 months (8 patients). Percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty gives good results in nearly all patients with pulmonary valve stenosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hyperthyroidism complicating asthma treatment.

Asthma is one of the most common chronic medical conditions. The usual treatment includes quick relief bronchodilator medications of the sympathomimetic class and controller medications that may include the long-acting inhaled bronchodilator salmeterol. Mild adverse cardiac and central nervous system effects are common with these medications, requiring modifications in dose or occasionally switching to a different medication. Both asthma and thyroid disease are common disorders that occasionally occur together. Hyperthyroidism may exacerbate asthma. Many symptoms of hyperthyroidism are identical to the adverse effects of the commonly used inhaled bronchodilators and include tremor, nervousness, tachycardia, wide pulse pressure, palpitations, emotional lability, agitation, nightmares, aggressive behavior, and diarrhea. In this report we describe a patient with hyperthyroidism whose symptoms initially were thought to be adverse effects of the inhaled bronchodilator medications.

Aged↗