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Biomedical subjects

M Naouri

Publications and source records attributed to M Naouri.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

[Hair darkening close to a patch of frontal fibrosing alopecia].

BACKGROUND: Fibrosing frontal alopecia is scarring form alopecia and is most often seen in menopausal women. It is currently considered as an anatomoclinical form of lichen planopilaris of selective topography. We report a case of hair repigmentation during the course of post-menopausal frontal fibrosing alopecia. CASE REPORT: A 78-year-old woman developed alopecia of the scalp and eyebrows in 1997. Her eyebrows had been white for some ten years. In 1999, she noted repigmentation of a strip of hair at the edge of her scalp, but the rest of her hair remained white. The patient had not been taking any long-term drugs or any hair treatment. Histological examination of the regions of alopecia revealed lesions of lichenoid appearance at the junction with erosion by lymphocytes and keratinocytic necroses of the lower layers of the epidermis. Direct cutaneous immunofluorescence testing was negative. A diagnosis of post-menopausal fibrosing frontal alopecia was made on the basis of the clinical and laboratory evidence. DISCUSSION: 96 cases of post-menopausal fibrosing frontal alopecia have so far been reported in the literature, but to our knowledge, this is the first case combined with or inducing hair repigmentation. The other cases of repigmentation were eliminated by history-taking, and clinical or laboratory examinations. The mechanism of hair repigmentation in our patient could have been the result of a post-inflammatory process.

Aged↗

Hepatitis C virus detection in follicular fluid and culture media from HCV+ women, and viral risk during IVF procedures.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been detected in sperm, but no data are available on follicular fluid (FF) collected on IVF procedures. The aim of this study was to: (i) search for HCV RNA in FF and in culture media at each step of IVF undergone by HCV(+) women; (ii) investigate the impact of blood contamination of FF induced by vascular injury associated with transvaginal ovarian puncture; (iii) assess risk for the embryo and the impact on the contamination rate of the newborn; and (iv) determine the viral risk presented by these fluids in order to define guidelines for the laboratory. METHODS: FF from 22 IVF procedures performed in 17 HCV(+) women were classified as either clear, lightly bloody or bloody FF. Oocytes from each FF were washed and incubated in separated fertilization media. At 20 h after puncture (day 1), the fertilized oocytes were washed and transferred to fresh media until embryo transfer. HCV RNA was detected and quantified in FF and media using Cobas Amplicor and Cobas Monitor HCV RNA kits. RESULTS: HCV RNA was positive in 39 of 44 FF samples, and viral loads increased with blood contamination. At day 1, after rinsing of oocyte-cumulus complexes, only 8 of 44 media were still positive. Viral loads were quantified in 5 of 8 positive media, were below the test sensitivity threshold in 4 of 5 HCV RNA-positive media, and just above it in the fifth medium. The day of transfer HCV RNA was undetectable in all media. CONCLUSIONS: HCV RNA was detected in 89% of FF irrespective of the degree of blood contamination, and in 25% of the media at day 1. FF must be considered as potentially infected. Blood contamination increases HCV load in the FF. Rinsing oocytes seems significantly to discard the HCV RNA. It is too early to assess the impact of IVF on the contamination rate of HCV mothers' offspring. After counselling, attempting IVF in HCV(+) women is justified. Universal guidelines prevent nosocomial infection, and IVF does not specifically increase the professional risk.

Adult↗

A modified RT-PCR technique to screen for viral RNA in the semen of hepatitis C virus-positive men.

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to use an adapted RT-PCR technique to assess the presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in semen and also in different density gradient semen fractions collected from men with chronic viral hepatitis participating in an assisted reproduction programme. METHODS: This study included 50 semen samples from 35 HCV(+) men, with active viral replication assessed by RT-PCR, collected the day of oocyte retrieval and used for assisted reproduction. These samples were subjected to standard assisted reproduction sperm preparation conditions, using density-gradient centrifugation with 45 and 90% layers. Aliquots of semen, 45 and 90% fractions, and embryo culture media were frozen at -80 degrees C for subsequent virological analyses. All aliquots were tested with a commercially available HCV RNA assay, adapted for use with semen after a number of technical changes. This assay yielded a sensitivity of 50-100 HCV RNA copies/ml and strongly diminished the effect of seminal amplification inhibitors. RESULTS: HCV RNA was detected in 7/50 (14%) semen samples tested, 5/35 (14.3%) men. HCV RNA was found in only 1/50 45% fractions but never in the 90% fraction or embryo culture media. Sera from 3/5 men contained 3.19-7.40 x 10(5) IU/ml, while the two others had 4.5 and 11.7 x 10(6) IU/ml. However, HCV RNA was quantified at <600 IU/ml in the HCV(+) semen of these five patients. The ongoing pregnancy rate was of 20% (10/50) with one delivery at the time of the present report. No anti-HCV antibody was found in any of the women or the newborn. CONCLUSIONS: Although HCV is present at low concentrations in the semen of a few HCV(+) patients, no purified sperm fraction (i.e. 90% fraction) used in assisted reproduction was HCV(+) and no seroconversion was observed in the women and the newborn, thereby suggesting a very low risk of virus transmission. Nevertheless, because the presence of HCV in semen implies a possible risk of nosocomial contamination, safety regulations must be strictly applied in assisted reproduction laboratories.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

Transvaginal intratubal methotrexate treatment of ectopic pregnancy. Report of 100 cases.

Between November 1988 and December 1993, 100 patients with a common, unruptured ectopic pregnancy were treated with 1 mg/kg injection of intratubal methotrexate under transvaginal sonographic control. Patients were not excluded from this series on the basis of the size of the adnexal mass, the term of ectopic pregnancy or initial beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) concentrations. Patients were excluded following uncertain diagnosis, signs of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, or a significant haemoperitoneum on ultrasound scans. The mean age of the patients was 29.5 years (range 20-41). The mean gestational age and initial HCG concentration were 7.5 weeks (5-11) and 11,614 mIU/ml (192-105,000 respectively). Of the 100 patients, 22 (22%) had an ectopic pregnancy with active cardiac activity. Complete resolution was obtained in 78 out of these 100 ectopic pregnancies. Of these, 66 patients (85%) needed only one intratubal methotrexate injection, and 12 patients (15%) required a second i.m. methotrexate injection of 1 mg/kg. In this study, local treatment with one single intratubal methotrexate injection was successful in only 66% of patients. The mean resolution time for reduction of beta-HCG concentrations was 23.5 days (range 7-40). There was no statistically significant correlation between initial beta-HCG concentrations and outcomes after methotrexate treatment of ectopic pregnancy in our study. Where embryonal heart beats were observed, the success rate of the procedure was 40.9% (nine out of 22 cases). In the absence of cardiac activity, or when ultrasound examination showed no embryo, the success rate achieved was 84.6% (66 out of 78 cases) (P < 0.01). In all, 34 patients were considered to be incompletely cured after only one intratubal methotrexate injection: 12 patients required a second i.m. injection, a stagnation of beta-HCG concentrations was observed in 15 patients, abdominal pain occurred in six patients, and one patient suffered tubal rupture with haemoperitoneum. A total of 22 patients required secondary surgical management (salpingectomy). No biochemical or clinical side-effects of methotrexate treatment occurred. Tubal alteration ascribable to methotrexate injection occurred in one patient in our study. Out of 75 patients in this series who wished to conceive, 21 (28%) became pregnant within 1 year with the following outcomes: 11 pregnancies at term, three miscarriages, one induced abortion and six recurrent ectopic pregnancies (four occurred on the same side). Our findings suggest that treatment of common unruptured ectopic pregnancy without prior selection of patients, by a single intratubal methotrexate administration was associated with a 66% success rate. This was dependent only on the presence of embryonal heart beats and there was no correlation between the success rate and initial beta-HCG concentrations. Successful outcome after methotrexate administration for ectopic pregnancy could be perfected by way of an improved selection of patients based on inactive embryonal hearts and absence of a visualized embryo.

Adult↗

[Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and thrombosis. Apropos of a case of thrombosis of the internal jugular vein. Review of the literature].

Thrombosis of the internal jugular vein was associated with a severe syndrome of ovarian hyperstimulation. After in vitro fertilization, a twin pregnancy was obtained in a 31-year-old patient with severe endometriosis. On the day of follicle collection, plasma oestradiol was 3050 mg/ml. Ten ovocytes were collected and 3 embryos were implanted. A syndrome of severe ovarian hyperstimulation (ascites, pleural effusion) developed 3 weeks later and symptomatic treatment was given. Phlebitis of the upper left limb was diagnosed at 9 weeks amenorrhoea and echo-Doppler confirmed the diagnosis of subclavian and internal jugular venous thrombosis. Search for a cause was negative excepting a frank drop in protein S activity to 35%. Post-partum assay and assay in family members confirmed that the deficiency was acquired during pregnancy. The clinical course was favourable with anticoagulant therapy (heparin, then low-molecular weight heparin). Intra-uterine death of one of the fetuses occurred at 21 weeks amenorrhoea and a 2,550 g girl was born by vaginal delivery at 36 weeks. The Apgar score at birth was 10/10. In a review of the literature on vascular events in fertilization, programmes showed that severe syndromes of ovarian hyperstimulation, endogenous hyperestrogenism, multiple pregnancy and predominance of upper limb are the most frequently observed criteria. We emphasize the importance of preventing these thromboembolic events with subcutaneous heparin during the first trimester of pregnancy followed by low-molecular weight heparin, particularly in patients with a history of thromboembolism and/or patients with severe ovarian hyperstimulation.

Adult↗

Transcervical falloposcopy: preliminary experience.

The new technique of endoluminal tubal exploration was evaluated by performing transcervical falloposcopy instead of chromoperturbation under control of concurrent laparoscopy. In this feasibility study, catheterization was performed with the use of either a transhysteroscopic or a free-hand tubal cannulation technique. A total of 66 patients were investigated for primary or secondary infertility with proximal and/or distal suspected tubal defects on the basis of prior hysterosalpingography; three patients were investigated for unruptured tubal pregnancy; two patients were investigated to localize the tip of the tubal embryo transfer catheter. Transcervical catheterization was successful in 110 of the 130 tubes (84.6%). Successful and informative falloposcopy was achieved in 30% of the 110 cannulated tubes. The transcervical free-hand cannulation technique was as effective as the transhysteroscopic approach. Recanalization of at least one tube was achieved in 83% of women with proximal obstruction. Tubal cannulation by the tubal embryo transfer catheter was confirmed by falloposcopy in the two cases where free-hand catheterization was used. This study confirms that it is possible to visualize the tubal lumen and demonstrates that the free-hand cannulation technique is a simple and effective alternative to the transhysteroscopic approach. However, further progress in catheter technology has to be achieved in order to perform regularly successful transcervical falloposcopy in damaged tubes.

Adult↗

[Treatment with methotrexate of 4 interstitial, unruptured pregnancies].

Successful treatment of four, non ruptured, cases of interstitial pregnancy are reported. Treatment consisted of in situ injection of methotrexate during coelioscopy. Dosage was 1.5 mg methotrexate per kilogram body weight. Negative plasma beta hCG levels were obtained 9 to 22 days after conservative medical treatment. No clinical or biochemical side effects were observed. Of two patients had no radiologically demonstrable cornual abnormality on the hysterosalpingographies effected at the 3 months evaluation after ascertained interstitial pregnancy, one have normal pregnancy. Two further patients had normal uneventful pregnancies 12 to 15 months later. Treatment of interstitial pregnancy by way of one in situ injection of methotrexate seems to be the currently preferred alternative to classical surgery.

Adult↗

[Screening for ovarian cancers: critical analysis].

The ovarian cancers have a low incidence rate and a high mortality rate mainly due to a late diagnosis. The potential value of ultrasonography and measurements of tumour associated markers to detect early ovarian cancer suggest the interest of a screening strategy. The analysis of the conditions for efficacy of a such screening program, of the predictive values of ultrasonography and tumour associated markers measurements and of the results of preliminary studies does not confirm on a rational basis the potential interest of screening strategies.

Adult↗

[Evaluation of intra-uterine pathology and tubal patency by contrast echography].

The contrast ultrasonography (CUS) is a new development of the pelvis ultrasounds. A contrast medium is injected through the cervix and is screened through the uterine cavity, the tubes and the peritoneal cavity. The contrast medium creates a new acoustic interface which improve the quality of the ultrasound imaging and the ability to diagnose endouterine pathologies. Further, tubal patency may be assessed by tracking fluid into the pouch of Douglas. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility, the accuracy and the side effects of this technique when compared with the conventional procedures. Included were two groups of patients: the group 1 (10 cases) was of patients with menometrorrhagia before undergoing an hysteroscopy; the group II (11 cases) was of infertile patients before undergoing a laparoscopic tubal patency test. This technique, of low cost and without any radiation exposure, seems to be at least as accurate as the conventional methods for the intrauterine diagnostics. It is less effectiveness for the evaluation of the tubal patency. No side effect occurred in this study.

Contrast Media↗

[Interferon-alpha and ribavirin treatment in a patient with hepatitis C virus-associated cutaneous periarteritis nodosa].

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) frequently causes leucocytoclastic vasculitis as a result of type II or III cryoglobulinemia. HCV-associated vasculitis without cryoglobulinemia is less common. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 33-year-old woman consulted for infiltrative necrotic purpura of the lower limbs, responsible for leg ulcers measuring less than 1 cm. Histopathological examination revealed vasculitis affecting the hypodermic arterioles and caused by periarteritis nodosa. No extracutaneous involvement was observed. The patient had presented asymptomatic untreated HVC infection (genotype 3) for two years. Antiviral treatment resulted in elimination of the patient's viremia and no relapse of skin lesions was observed two years after the end of treatment. COMMENTS: This patient presented vasculitis due to cutaneous nodular periarteritis associated with HVC without cryoglobulinemia. Hepatic impairment was mild and did not require any antiviral treatment. No further skin involvement was seen after treatment with colchicine and because the patient's viral genotype was favorable, we decided to initiate antiviral therapy. This therapeutic approach should be considered by dermatologists, but it is nevertheless important to assess the risk of interferon-induced aggravation of vasculitis.

Adult↗