Biomedical subjects

Mara Dominis

Publications and source records attributed to Mara Dominis.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2002

[Gastric ulcer and Helicobacter pylori infection].

Helicobacter pylori infection and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are considered to be the two major risk factors implicated in the development of gastric ulcer. Helicobacter pylori infection related chronic gastritis is known to be the underlying condition which may lead to gastric ulcer. Development of gastric ulcer as the consequence of underlying chronic gastritis is caused by many factors. Treating Helicobacter pylori infection entails the healing of gastric ulcer, it concomitantly prevents recurrences and complications of gastric ulcer, primarily bleeding, and changes the natural course of gastric ulcer disease. Continuation of antisecretory maintenance treatment beyond ulcus healing and eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection is only indicated in risk groups. Patients with gastric ulcer caused by NSAID use are managed with antisecretory therapy.

Female↗

PubMed2002

[Gastroesophageal reflux disease and Helicobacter pylori infection].

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the common diseases of the upper gastrointestinal system. It is present in the whole world population, especially frequent in the developed countries. It evolves from pathological reflux which exposes the esophagus to the gastric contents which must overcome esophageal defense system. Many factors have been found to be involved in the pathogenesis of GERD; the most important one is the relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter. Intensity of the disease is proportional to the amount of gastric contents refluxing from the stomach and the duration of esophageal exposure to this contents. GERD is currently in the spotlight because of its special significance in the development of very specific disease in the lower part of the esophagus--Barrett's esophagus, as well as esophageal adenocarcinoma which has lately been increasing in prevalence. Today, unrecognized and inadequately cured GERD is known to be a high risk factor for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. In recent years the relation between GERD and Helicobacter pylori infection has been the topic of investigation by many prominent researchers. Therapy of GERD is based on inhibition of acid secretion. There are many different therapeutic agents available, however, proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are considered to be the most effective in the treatment of this disease.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2002

[Helicobacter pylori and malignant diseases of the stomach].

The association between Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric malignancies, cancer and MALT lymphoma, has been suggested through several lines of evidence during the last decade. Although unresolved issues still cast doubts on the real weight of these association, in the sequence of events that leads to gastric cancer or lymphoma, Helicobacter pylori appears to play a prominent role in the very initial steps as causative agent of chronic gastritis. The subsequent events in the sequence--atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia and cancer are multifactorial involving environmental agents, host response and characteristics of the bacterial strain itself. Recognition of the causal role of Helicobacter pylori infection in the cancer induction theoretically presents tools for its prevention. The ongoing studies will show in the future whether eradication or prevention of infection are followed by a reduction in risk of cancer. Lymphomas arising from gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) may be a clonal evolution starting from the infection. In low-grade gastric MALT lymphoma cure of the infection induces complete remission in the majority of patients. Longer follow-up investigations are necessary to determine if remissions indicate a cure of the disease.

Chronic Disease↗

PubMed2002

[Non-ulcer dyspepsia and Helicobacter pylori infection].

In this article we reviewed experiences in approach and procedure with dyspepsia, with special accent on non-ulcer dyspepsia and Helicobacter pylori infection. Dyspepsia makes around 50% of gastroenterology cases. In 20% of cases it is caused by peptic ulcer disease and in 50% of cases non-ulcer dyspepsia. Around 50% of non-ulcer dyspepsia is followed by coexistent Helicobacter pylori positive gastritis. Dyspepsia followed by alarming symptoms in patients who are over 55 years old or in patients who are using NSAID indicated urgent endoscopic procedure--gastroscopy. In other patients non-invasive testing on Helicobacter pylori infection is recommended where eradication therapy should be applied in Helicobacter pylori positive and empirical cure by antisecreting drugs or prokinetics in Helicobacter pylori negative patients. Final gastroscopic evaluation is indicated after unsuccessful therapy. Ceasing of non-ulcer dyspeptic symptoms could be predicted in 20% of patients with cured Helicobacter pylori infection.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

[Extra-gastrointestinal tract diseases and Helicobacter pylori infection].

Helicobacter pylori infection is linked to conditions of the upper gastrointestinal tract, including peptic ulcer and gastric adenocarcinoma na MALT lymphoma. It has also been associated with wide variety of extragastric and non-gastrointestinal conditions. However, the evidence in support of Helicobacter pylori infection as a cause of the non-gastrointestinal tract diseases is not widely understood. We reviewed the medical literature in regard to putative association of Helicobacter pylori infection and non-gastrointestinal tract condition, notably cardiovascular, autoimmune and dermatological diseases. The majority of published papers examining the potential causal relationship were case-control studies, cross-sectional and cohort studies while only a few recent articles that did not confirm the evidence of causal relationship represent well designed population-based prospective studies. The lack of clear evidence for etiopathogenetic associations of Helicobacter pylori infection and non-gastrointestinal tract conditions should focus our attention on appropriate testing and treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with conditions that are of proven association such as peptic ulcer disease.

Autoimmune Diseases↗

PubMed2002

[A vaccine against Helicobacter pylori infection].

Oral immunization with the urease of Helicobacter pylori was shown to induce protection against Helicobacter felis in mice. The first identification of a protective antigen (urease) was followed by the identification of the protective antigens, such as the heat-shock protein (HspA) and the vacuolating cytotoxin VacA. The final selection of the antigens to be used in a vaccine depends on the conservation of these antigens among Helicobacter pylori strains, their role as virulence factors and conservation of their immunogenic properties when expressed as recombinant proteins. Furthermore, therapeutic immunizations were also effective in eradication of Helicobacter from chronically infected animals. These encouraging results imply that immunization may also be useful in the therapy of Helicobacter pylori infection in humans. In this review, preliminary data and directions for future research on Helicobacter vaccines are described.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Lethal midline granuloma].

Lethal midline granuloma is a rare clinical syndrome. In clinical practice the destructive process of the facial midline may appear as a symptom of various infective, malignant or autoimmune diseases. A physician must have a good knowledge of the problem in order to make a rational approach to diagnosis. The present paper discusses the case of a 34-year old patient with destructive changes of midline, nose, perforating of palatal cleft and destruction of bone structure of nose, maxillary and ethmoid sinus. For histopathologic diagnosis of T-lymphoma it was necessary to make immunohistological study of the biopsy specimen. Irradiation therapy with total dose of 5600 cGy showed an extremely good therapeutic result. Three years after irradiation therapy the patient is still in a remission.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Microcellular lung carcinoma in patient with hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma: a case report].

Hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL) is a rare form of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma derived from cytotoxic T-cells, usually manifesting by sinusoidal infiltration of spleen, liver and bone marrow. In 1997 World Health Organization classified malignant lymphomas and placed HSTCL among peripheral T-cell neoplasms. The course of the diseases is usually very agressive with a median survival time of 8 to 16 moths despite multiagent chemotherapy. We present a case of a 48-year-old male patient whose initial symptoms were fatigue, weight loss and night sweats, which were followed by splenomegaly and pancytopenia. After clinical examination we suspected him to have HSTCL which was proved pathohistologically upon splenectomy and it is the first case of this lymphoma diagnosed in "Merkur" Clinical Hospital. As a first line of lymphoma therapy we decided to apply FED course (fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, prednisone), being aware of the published poor results the standard CHOP chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisolone) yields. As far as we know, the results of this chemotherapy course in the therapy of this tumor have never been published. The patient underwent 6 courses of FED therapy, which he tolerated well and was in good clinical condition. Upon the completion of the 6th course of therapy he was diagnosed with lung anaplastic microcellular carcinoma and was treated with 3 course of PE therapy (cisplatin, etoposide).

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗