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Biomedical subjects

N M Amin

Publications and source records attributed to N M Amin.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Necrotizing fasciitis.

Necrotizing fasciitis is a life-threatening, invasive soft-tissue infection that is characterized by widespread, rapidly developing necrosis of the subcutaneous tissue and fascia. It is more likely to occur in patients with a compromised immune system. In type I necrotizing fasciitis, anaerobes and gram-negative bacteria are predominant; in the type II form, the bacterial etiology is group A beta-hemolytic streptococci. The diagnosis must be made on the basis of clinical grounds and is characterized by rapidly developing, painful erythema that progresses to bullous formation and gangrenous necrosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Tuberculin skin testing. Can it contain the impending tuberculosis epidemic?

Tuberculosis is on the increase around the globe. Practicing physicians must be vigilant in identifying persons at risk and those who are infected with tubercle bacilli so isoniazid prophylaxis can be promptly instituted. The tuberculin skin test is a simple, inexpensive, and sensitive method of diagnosing infection; it should be used routinely and not reserved for high-risk patients. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued new guidelines for interpreting results depending on the size of induration and presence of risk factors.

False Negative Reactions↗
PubMed1992

Prophylaxis for malaria. Helping world travelers come home healthy.

Malaria is largely preventable, so travelers should be taught general protective measures and given appropriate chemoprophylaxis before they leave on their trip. Chloroquine phosphate (Aralen) is still the drug of choice in locations where malaria remains chloroquine-sensitive. However, chloroquine-resistant areas infested with Plasmodium falciparum are becoming more numerous. In such areas, mefloquine hydrochloride (Lariam), doxycycline, or proguanil (Paludrine) (obtainable outside the United States) may be used. A single dose of pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine (Fansidar) may be used to treat presumptive malarial infection if medical care is not immediately available. For prevention of relapse of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale infection, primaquine phosphate is recommended for the final 2 weeks of chemoprophylaxis on return from a malarious area.

Antimalarials↗
PubMed1990

Let's stop the comeback of tuberculosis. Best drug regimens for prevention and treatment.

Tuberculosis has been on the increase in recent years, so physicians need to be aware of it once again. Very effective drugs are available to treat the disease. Pharmacokinetics, dosing schedule, and adverse reactions of each anti-tuberculous agent need to be considered. A short (6-month) course of therapy is now recommended: Isoniazid, rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane), and pyrazinamide are given for the initial 2 months, followed by isoniazid and rifampin for 4 months. If drug resistance is a factor, a fourth drug is added to the initial regimen, and therapy may have to be extended. Chemoprophylaxis with isoniazid is very important to reduce the incidence of tuberculosis. It should be given to all high-risk persons.

Antitubercular Agents↗
PubMed1989

Zidovudine for treating AIDS. What physicians need to know.

Zidovudine (Retrovir) is the only drug found to be useful for managing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related complex. The drug is virostatic, ie, it prevents replication of HIV by inhibiting the enzyme reverse transcriptase. Zidovudine is well tolerated and provides short-term benefits by improving the quality of life and extending survival time. It is expensive and can be toxic, however, so its use requires close supervision. Zidovudine at present is approved only for patients with documented Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia or with a CD4 count below 200/mm3. Other probable indications include HIV wasting syndrome, HIV dementia complex, oral candidiasis, Kaposi's sarcoma, the presence of early markers of HIV infection, and HIV-related symptomatic thrombocytopenia. A stepwise approach to initiating zidovudine therapy should include detailed counseling and close surveillance.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

New antibiotics: carbapenems, monobactams and quinolones.

New beta lactams and the quinolone class of antibiotics represent major improvements in the therapy of moderate to severe infections. These newer antibiotics have an extended spectrum of antimicrobial activity, excellent pharmacokinetic properties and low toxicity. The beta lactams include carbapenems, represented by imipenem-cilastatin, and monobactams, represented by aztreonam. Norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin are potent quinolones.

4-Quinolones↗
PubMed1988

Infected diabetic foot ulcers.

Infections of diabetic foot ulcers are a common, longstanding complication of poorly controlled diabetes. They result from the interplay of peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease. In most cases, diabetic foot infections are polymicrobial, and deep tissue culture after debridement is essential for identifying the true pathogens. Treatment includes bed rest, empiric and specific antibiotic therapy, and good control of diabetes.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1987

Amebic hepatic abscess.

Amebic hepatic abscess can mimic other hepatic disorders and is a commonly missed diagnosis. It occurs when Entamoeba histolytica infection of the cecum remains untreated and there is embolic spread to the liver. Symptoms include acute or insidious onset of fever, with or without chills, pain in the right hypochondrium or epigastrium with evidence of hepatomegaly, and intercostal or subcostal tenderness. Diagnosis is established by a combination of radiologic and nuclear scanning procedures, serologic tests and aspiration of the abscess.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Adult immunizations.

Effective and successful vaccination programs during childhood have resulted in a growing number of unimmunized persons reaching adulthood without being exposed to common infectious diseases. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that physicians establish an ongoing immunization program for adults. Before administering a vaccine, physicians must consider a patient's risk of contracting the disease and the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis.

All antibiotics, except parenteral aminoglycosides, sulfonamides and vancomycin, can induce pseudomembranous colitis. The worst offenders are clindamycin, ampicillin, amoxicillin and the cephalosporins. The cytotoxin produced by Clostridium difficile has been identified as the cause of pseudomembranous colitis. Treatment includes an antimicrobial to eradicate the organism and cholestyramine or colestipol to bind the toxin.

Amoxicillin↗
PubMed1984

Campylobacter-caused diarrhea. Who is at risk? What to watch for.

Campylobacter jejuni is now recognized as one of the most common causes of human infectious diarrhea. Avian species and mammals are the chief reservoirs, although the organism has been isolated from contaminated drinking water and unpasteurized milk. Transmission usually occurs by the fecal-oral route through ingestion of contaminated food or water or by direct contact with feces of infected humans or animals. Persons affected have abdominal pain, watery or bloody diarrhea, fever, and constitutional symptoms. Diagnosis is established by demonstrating the organism in Gram stains of stool or by stool or blood culture. Erythromycin is the drug of choice if specific therapy is needed.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1983

Normal-pressure hydrocephalus.

Normal-pressure hydrocephalus is a treatable form of dementia in which the patient presents with memory difficulty, slowing of thought and action, gait disturbance and urinary incontinence. Although normal-pressure hydrocephalus is usually idiopathic, it can occur with subarachnoid hemorrhage, head injury, tumors of the third ventricle or posterior fossa, intracranial surgery, meningitis or congenital anomalies. Treatment consists of insertion of ventriculoperitoneal or ventriculoatrial shunt.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1981

Giardiasis.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Giardiasis↗
PubMed1979

Malaria--a red alert.

Imported malaria has been increasing in the United States. Locally acquired cases are reported in drug addicts. Extended incubation periods can be misleading. Pyrexia is the most common manifestation, but it may not follow a regular pattern. A high index of suspicion and examination of peripheral blood smears establish the diagnosis. Chloroquine and primaquine are the drugs of choice for uncomplicated malaria; quinine sulfate is preferred in the treatment of chloroquine-resistant malaria. Malarial prophylaxis should include travelers' education and chemoprophylactic agents such as chloroquine, chloroguanide, pyrimethamine and amodiaquine.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An open-label, noncomparative study to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of azithromycin in the treatment of patients with acute sinusitis.

The efficacy, safety, and tolerability of a 5-day, once-daily course of azithromycin were assessed in patients with acute sinusitis. Patients received two 250-mg capsules of azithromycin on day 1 and one 250-mg capsule on days 2 through 5. Of 102 clinically assessable patients, 27 (26.5%) were cured and 69 (67.6%) were improved on days 5 to 7. At days 12 to 16, 88 (86.3%) had a favorable clinical response. A total of 64 patients experienced adverse events; in all but two patients, adverse events were of mild or moderate severity. Thus azithromycin given once daily for 5 days was an effective treatment for patients with acute sinusitis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Intravenous procainamide for the conversion of new onset atrial fibrillation in the emergency department setting.

A common problem seen by emergency physicians, that of new onset atrial fibrillation, and a unique approach to its emergency department management are discussed. In hemodynamically stable patients with new onset atrial fibrillation, an attempt at chemical cardioversion can be made in the emergency department with intravenous procainamide at a rate of 20 mg/min to a maximum dose of 20 mg/kg if accompanied with careful monitoring of blood pressure and cardiac rhythm. If cardioversion is successful, such individuals may not require hospitalization if they are less than 65 years of age and without evidence of organic heart, lung, or thyroid disease.

Atrial Fibrillation↗