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Biomedical subjects

M Weber

Publications and source records attributed to M Weber.

At least 559 records · Page 31Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Comparison of indirect immunofluorescent-antibody assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and Western immunoblot for the diagnosis of Lyme disease in dogs.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), indirect immunofluorescent-antibody assay (IFA), and Western immunoblot were used to test serum samples from 128 dogs for the presence of antibody to Borrelia burgdorferi. Sera included 72 samples from dogs suspected of having Lyme disease, 32 samples from dogs residing in areas in which Lyme disease was not considered endemic, and 24 samples from dogs with clinical and serologic evidence of immune-mediated disease (n = 10), Rocky Mountain spotted fever (n = 5), or leptospirosis (n = 9). Results of Western immunoblotting were used as the standard against which performances of ELISA and IFA were measured. ELISA was significantly more sensitive than IFA (84.8 versus 66.7%), although both tests were equally specific (93.5%). Eight samples that were positive by Western immunoblot were simultaneously negative by ELISA and IFA. Of these eight, four were from dogs suspected of having immune-mediated disease, two were from dogs suspected of having leptospirosis, and two were from dogs suspected of having Lyme disease. These results may indicate that sera from dogs with immune-mediated disease, and to a lesser extent sera from those with leptospirosis, cross-react with B. burgdorferi antigens. Alternatively, Western immunoblot results may not truly reflect Lyme disease status, particularly in the case of dogs with immune-mediated diseases. At present, however, the use of Western immunoblotting as a diagnostic standard for dogs offers the best alternative to a clinical definition of disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Mucin-like carcinoma-associated antigen: sensitivity and specificity in metastatic breast cancer].

The clinical usefulness of a tumor marker essentially depends on its sensitivity and specificity for a certain tumor. To prove, wheather the new tumor marker 'mucin-like carcinoma-associated antigen' could be used for the management of breast cancer patients, we determined its serum concentration in 50 healthy blood donors, 130 patients with various non-malignant diseases, 138 patients with different metastazised tumors and 137 breast cancer patients. 78 of the breast cancer patients had known metastases while 59 had no evidence of disease after initial surgical and adjuvant therapy. Only 2% of the blood donors and 3% of the patients with non-malignant diseases exceeded the cut-off level of 15 U/ml. In contrast to these findings, 28% of patients with various metastazised tumors and 77% of patients with metastazised breast cancer had serum levels above 15 U/ml. Breast cancer patients without evidence of disease had elevated marker values in only 3%. In breast cancer the serum levels of this antigen depends on the type of metastases. Maximal concentrations were found in mixed metastases while cutaneous or lymph-node metastases showed the lowest rate of positivity. Furthermore a good correlation of serial determined marker levels with the course of the disease was observed, so that we conclude, that mucin-like carcinoma-associated antigen can be used in follow-up of patients with metastazised breast cancer. Because of its high sensitivity and specificity it provides some advantage over other markers used in this disease.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1990

["Pseudo-lupus" eruptions in a mother carrying X chromosome-linked chronic septic granulomatosis].

We report the case of a young woman whose son had X-linked chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) while she was gene transmitter and presented with erythematous-squamous dermatosis predominant in unprotected regions, photosensitivity and oral ulcerations. The diagnosis of discoid lupus erythematosus, suggested by the clinical complex, was not confirmed by paraclinical examinations. CGD is an X-linked or, less often, autosomal recessive disease underlain by a selective deficiency of intraleucocytic bactericidal ability. Its clinical manifestations are repeated and severe infections involving most of the body organs. A review of the literature yielded 20 cases resembling that of our patient; all concerned mothers or sisters of children with X-linked CGD. The skin disease usually begins during childhood. The authors describe cutaneous manifestations as a photosensitive infiltrating erythema, frequently suggestive of lupus erythematosus, and oral ulcerations. At light microscopy, these skin lesions show a lymphohistiocytic infiltrate which sometimes erodes the basement membrane or remains at a distance from it. Such images suggest lupus erythematosus or, for some authors, a Jessner-Kanoff syndrome or a lichenoid infiltrate. Direct immunofluorescence was negative in all but one case, and there was usually no laboratory evidence of autoimmunity. In women who transmit the X-linked form of the disease, the bactericidal activity of granulocytes is reduced by 50 p. 100, but infection is not a major problem. The pathogenesis of these disorders is not yet fully understood. However, we would like to draw attention to the studies by Roberts et al. who demonstrated a defective degradation of bacterial DNA by circulating monocytes in patients with systemic or discoid lupus erythematosus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Polytraumatized patient. First aid care, transport and resuscitation].

The initial management of multiple trauma must achieve a triple aim: performing the actions required by a vital emergency, preventing as well as possible the complications associated with the initial lesions, and, most importantly, bringing the injured person into hospital in the best possible conditions for emergency surgery. Achieving these aims requires a perfect coordination of medical and nonmedical rescue. A rough initial categorization is important to decide whether additional medical staff is desirable, choose the type of transport planned (by ambulance, helicopter...) as well as the department or hospital due to receive the patient. Four actions must be accomplished, most often jointly, all of them contributing to the quality of treatment: 1. picking up/freeing/immobilizing the injured person, 2. controlling the hypovolemic collapse and the traumatic shock, 3. dealing with the associated distresses, 4. suppressing pain. The techniques used to pick up, free and immobilize the injured person require a close co-operation with the rescuing staff (stretcher bearers, fire department, first-aid workers). The hypovolemic shock is treated by volume replacement, mainly with colloids. Local hemostasis may sometimes be necessary. Anti-shock trousers should be widely used in cases of multiple trauma. Dealing with the associated distresses gives priority to ventilation. The indications of ventilatory support must be very wide whenever coma or signs of respiratory distress are noted, more so with an associated shock. The indications of aspiration of a gaseous or fluid pleural effusion must also be discussed. Maximal suppression of pain must be kept in mind throughout all these operations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analgesia↗
PubMed1990

Treatment of isolated systolic hypertension with labetalol in the elderly.

Antihypertensive therapy with labetalol was evaluated in a prospective, randomized, multicenter, double-blind study of 133 elderly patients with isolated systolic hypertension (standing systolic blood pressure [BP] greater than or equal to 160 mm Hg; diastolic BP less than 95 mm Hg). Following a placebo-washout period, patients received either labetalol (n = 70) or placebo (n = 63), which was titrated as necessary from 100 to 400 mg twice a day over a 6-week period. Once the BP was controlled (standing systolic BP less than 160 mm Hg, and greater than or equal to 10-mm Hg decrease from baseline) or the maximum dosage had been given, patients continued receiving the same regimen until the end of the titration period and throughout a 4-week maintenance period. Blood pressure was controlled in 57 (81%) of 70 of the labetalol-treated patients (86% receiving less than or equal to 200 mg twice a day) compared with 34 (54%) of 63 of the placebo-treated patients. Throughout the active treatment periods, BP was significantly lower in patients treated with labetalol compared with those taking placebo; mean standing systolic BP decreased 26 mm Hg in the labetalol group vs 9 mm Hg in the placebo group. Side effects were generally mild, and the dropout rates due to adverse experiences were similar between treatment groups (14% in the labetalol group vs 10% in the placebo group). In summary, labetalol can effectively lower systolic BP in the elderly without causing adverse orthostatic changes.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1990

[Candida albicans uveopapillitis. Diagnostic and therapeutic discussion apropos of a case].

Due to the difficulties encountered in the etiologie diagnosis of papillo uveitis along with the increasing occurrence of fungal infections (in paralleled with the number of AIDS affected patients), we found of interest to report a case of exsudative macular chorioretinitis with poor evolution under steroid therapy. In this patient infection by Candida Albicans was suspected and confirmed only after isolation and culture of the fungal from a vitrectomy specimen. A therapeutic apponch using Fluconazole (Triflucan allowed a dramatic improvement of visual acuity within a few months. Thus, vitrectomy appears as a decisive step in the diagnosis of endogenous ocular candidiasis. This diagnosis is even more difficult to suspect in patient without immun deficiency more any extraocular focal infestation.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[In vitro sensitivity of Chlamydiae to antibiotics].

The in vitro activity of 11 antibiotics against 16 Chlamydia trachomatis strains isolated from genital tract and 2 Chlamydia psittaci strains isolated from pulmonary tract. The CMI determination (the lowest dilution of the drug which inhibited the inclusion development when untreated control give 10(3) IFC) was assessed by growth in cycloheximide treated McCoy cells-antibiotics were added after incubation for 2 hours at 37 degrees C. The CMI values for Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia psittaci are similar. The activity of antibiotics by comparison between CMI90 and serial levels. The CMI90 (mg/l) were: doxycycline = 0.2, minocycline = 0.2, roxythromycine = 0.12, érythromycine = 0.5, spiramycine = 4, rifampicine = 0.016, ofloxacine = 4, ciprofloxacine = 4, pefloxacine = 8, lomefloxacine = 8, fleroxacine = 8. For Chlamydia trachomatis species all the strains have the same sensibility, no resistance was detected.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1990

[When to begin antiepileptic treatment?].

The decision to begin an antiepileptic treatment is not always an easy one, as this treatment will be long lasting with possible side-effects. However, if the patient has had several seizures or if, after a first seizure, there are certain features predicting that other seizures will follow, then in all but very rare cases this decision must be made and applied as soon as possible. Patients who will have chronic epilepsy are recognized within the first two years, and among the factors preventing a therapeutic failure, early treatment is of the utmost importance. After a first, strictly isolated seizure, and for lack of convincing figures as to the risk of recurrence, many data must be examined, the most important being the patient's wish. All this shows that there is room for various decisions.

Anticonvulsants↗
PubMed1990

[Change in liver size caused by antitubercular combination therapy].

In 23 patients undergoing antituberculous combination treatment, an ultrasonographic study of the dimensions of the liver was carried out every two weeks for the first two to three months of treatment. Starting with the fourth to sixth week on the therapeutic regimen, significant increases in the width of the left, and the length of the right liver lobes amounting to an average of 1 cm (11%) were established. Differences in the time course of changes in liver size were not to be found, neither in connection with adverse reactions, nor as a function of sex. Between the age of the patient and the depth parameters of the right liver lobe, however, significant positive regressions were observed with the course of treatment. Patients older than 40 years experienced a more marked increase in liver size under therapy. Patients with a history of alcohol abuse and those with side effects, have, on average, larger livers. Slow acetylators manifest a slightly greater increase in the size of the liver during treatment than do rapid acetylators. None of the patients investigated revealed any clinically relevant hepatotoxic side effects. There was no strict correlation between transient transaminase elevations and ultrasonographic changes in the hepatic architecture.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[The effect of dimethoate and vibrations on the fetal development of the rat].

The influence of vibration and organophosphate insecticide dimethoate of rats (Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout) was examined by exposing pregnant dams to these influences on 12 d p.c. After exposures to vibrations for 12 h an increase of the rate of absorption could be ascertained. A dermal absorption of dimethoate (349 mg/kg) resulted in an increase of the rate of absorption, retardation and deformation. Combinations of exposure to vibrations and dimethoate show an intensifying effect.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗
PubMed1990

[Tuberous sclerosis: family manifestations].

The authors report on 6 sisters and brothers with Bourneville's disease (tuberous sclerosis). The article describes the different morphologic manifestations of the illness in the patients and places them in relation with the generally assumed principal signs with special reference to the new imaging techniques such as cranial computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. These methods reveal pathognomonic patterns already very early, in association with specific clinical changes. Tuberous sclerosis must be excluded even in apparently healthy relatives by an exact diagnosis. Computed tomography is an absolutely indispensable indicator in this regard, since it is a highly sensitive method.

Brain↗