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Biomedical subjects

R Cisterna

Publications and source records attributed to R Cisterna.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

[Incidence of lymphoid neoplasms in patients with HIV infection].

BACKGROUND: The incidence, histologic type and clinical characteristics of the lymphoid neoplasms found in patients with HIV infection may be influenced by environmental factors. These characteristics were herewith investigated in the authors medium. METHODS: The medical records of the patients in whom lymphoma was diagnosed were reviewed studying the usual clinical, epidemiological, histological and biological variables. RESULTS: Fourteen patients: 10 with non Hodgkin lymphomas and four with Hodgkin disease were studied. The prevalence was 5% of the total number of patients with AIDS. Seven patients of the former and none of the latter had previously uncomplicated HIV infection. The following histologic types were observed: two Burkitt lymphoma, 4 undifferentiated lymphomas and 4 immunoblastic lymphomas among the non Hodgkin cases and two with mixed cellularity, one lymphocytic depletion and one undetermined among the Hodgkin's cases. Eighty percent of the patients with non Hodgkin lymphoma and 50% of the patients with Hodgkin disease presented a IV-B stage. The median of survival was 2.5 months (limits 1-8) for non Hodgkin cases and 11 months (limits 1-36) for the patients with Hodgkin disease. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of lymphoma in patients with AIDS in the authors' medium is similar to that referred in other studies although a high proportion of Hodgkin's disease may be found.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Serological parameters for the diagnosis and follow-up of toxoplasmosis. Experimental models].

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasmosis is a disease of increasing incidence. Its laboratory diagnosis is difficult, specially in acute toxoplasmosis. The data obtained in experimental models attempting to distinguish between acute and chronic toxoplasmosis by the simultaneous study of four serological tests: IgM and IgG antibodies, circulating antigens (CA) and antigens present in immune complexes (IC) are reported. METHODS: The evolution of IgM and IgG antibodies, CA and IC was followed in 3 murine models in acute, subacute and chronic toxoplasmosis, compared with the use of the ELISA technique. RESULTS: Acute toxoplasmosis is characterized by the presence of CA and IC in 100% of the individuals at high concentrations with IgM and IgG only being detectable at low concentrations. In subacute and chronic toxoplasmosis the response to IgG antibodies (100% in animals) is prominent, with detection of IgM being variable and the detection of CA and IC being reduced to the phase considered as acute. CONCLUSIONS: The detection of IgM and IgG antibodies, circulating antigens and immune complexes may be of great usefulness in the differentiation of acute, recently acquired or chronic toxoplasmosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[Varicella pneumonia in the adult].

In the adult, the primary infection by the varicella-zoster virus acquires an unusual severity due to several complications, the most frequent of them being pneumonia. The authors analyze the clinical, epidemiological, serological and radiological data of the only two cases of varicellous pneumonia in the adult at a general hospital during the past 5 years. They highlight as the main characteristics: easiness of diagnosis, dissociation between clinical and radiological signs and the excellent therapeutical response to the early administration of intravenous Aciclovir. They comment as well the risk factors of this complication and the criteria for hospitalization.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed1994

[Bacteremia caused by Haemophilus influenzae with special reference to its relation to HIV infection].

BACKGROUND: The association between infection by Haemophilus influenzae and infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been clearly demonstrated. However, some characteristics of this association still remain poorly defined. METHODS: The medical records of all adult patients admitted to a general hospital over a period of four years with blood cultures positive for Haemophilus influenzae were reviewed. Patients were grouped according to whether HIV infection or no evidence of HIV infection existed. Clinical and epidemiologic data were collected and compared. The main features of data corresponding to seropositive patients are reported. RESULTS: Of a total of 29 cases of bacteremia by Haemophilus influenzae, 19 were diagnosed in adults: 5 in patients with HIV infection and 14 in patients without HIV infection. Over the following 18 months one additional case was reported. The incidence (calculated in cases per 100,000 people/year) was 1.9 in the general population, 1.5 in adults, 70 in adults with HIV infection and 360 in AIDS patients. All the cases diagnosed in adults below the age of 30 years were reported in HIV carriers. Five of the 16 (31%) H. influenzae strains tested were resistant to ampicillin, with a significant difference being found between those isolated from HIV positive patients (4/5) and from HIV negative patients (1/11). No patient with HIV infection died during the episode. But five of the HIV negative adults died. CONCLUSIONS: HIV infection seems to be frequent risk factor for bacteremia by Haemophilus influenzae. It should always be considered on diagnosis in adults under the age of 30. Likewise, the high probability of resistance to ampicillin should also be taken into account for the empiric treatment.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1993

[DNA probe for the detection of uropathogenic strains of P-fimbriated Escherichia coli].

BACKGROUND: P fimbria is one of the main factors of virulence of the uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains thus developing methods for its detection is of interest. P fimbriation may manifest through associated characteristic hemagglutination patterns. Another way of directly detecting its expression is by the PF test consisting in a specific agglutination test with latex particles which have the specific receptor of the fimbria incorporated. METHODS: The two phenotypic techniques (hemagglutination pattern using human, bovine, and sheep erythrocytes, and the PF test) were compared with colony hybridization with a specific DNA probe (pap1) in 35 strains of uropathogenic E. coli. RESULTS: Eight of the 35 strains studied were positive for the PF test with 7 strains presenting mannose-resistant agglutination to human erythrocytes without agglutinating the other erythrocytes tried. However, with hybridization with the DNA probe the number of positives was higher (25/35). CONCLUSIONS: The difference found in the number of positive strains may be due to the probe used corresponding to cluster pap, thus the use of a smaller more specific probe for fimbrial expression obtained from pap should be used given that the hybridization technique is easy to perform and is carried out in less time than phenotypic detection which requires long periods of culture prior to the test.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

[Oligonucleotide probes for the characterization of TEM-1 and TEM-2 beta lactamases in Salmonella strains].

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to develop molecular biology techniques as hybridization with oligonucleotide probes to characterize TEM-1 and TEM-2 beta-lactamases in strains of Salmonella spp. METHODS: Twenty seven strains of Salmonella spp. were selected. Twenty six were resistant to ampicillin due to the production of beta-lactamases enzymes of pl of 5.4 and/or 5.6 corresponding to TEM-type. Initially, they were submitted to colony hybridization with a 420 bp. TEM probe obtained from plasmid pBR322. The strains with positive signal were selected to perform colony hybridization and Southern blot with oligonucleotide probes for TEM-1 (Gln 37) and TEM-2 (Lys 37). Finally, polymerase chain reaction technique (PCR) was developed to obtain DNA. RESULTS: Only 17 out of the 26 beta-lactamase producing strains gave positive signals with the TEM intragenic probe. Experiments with the oligonucleotide probes in colony hybridization did not allow us discriminate positive from negative signals. Southern blot of DNA obtained from alkaline lysates did not work as we could not obtain any signals in the filters. To resolve these problems and to obtain enough DNA to perform Southern blot we developed PCR. This way it was able discriminate the bla-TEM-1 from the bla-TEM-2 genes. CONCLUSIONS: PCR technique plus oligonucleotide probes are a good alternative for the specific characterization of TEM-1 and TEM-2 beta-lactamases in Salmonella spp.

Ampicillin Resistance↗
PubMed1993

[Utilization of an emergency service by patients with HIV infection].

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: To know the impact of HIV infection in a hospital emergency department the health care episodes of seropositive individuals are reviewed in a retrospective study from the January 1 to March 31, 1992. Cases have been identified comparing the list of those infected by HIV with the users of the department during the period studied. RESULTS: 430 episodes in 288 patients (1.5 episodes/patient) have been included constituting 2.3% of the total. 76.4% were males, with a mean age of 29.2 years (range, 18-59) and 60.2% were evaluated the medical area. Hospital admission was indicated on 147 occasions (34.2% versus 19% of seronegatives; p < 0.001). The most frequent diagnoses were infections which were or were not associated to alteration of cellular immunity (32.8%) and complications related with the abuse of opioid substances (23.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The pathology associated to HIV infection and to the abuse of intravenous drugs constitutes a frequent problem in the emergency departments. The infectious diseases which are or are not associated to alteration in cellular immunity, complications related with the consumption of opioids and the high index of admissions are of note. Professionals carrying out health care work in this medium must be familiarized with the diagnosis and treatment of these processes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Resistance in Haemophilus influenzae in Spain. 2d study (1990)].

AIM: To study the resistance to strains of H. influenzae simultaneously isolated during 1990 in 10 Spanish cities with this being the second multicentric study carried out in Spain. METHODS: Three hundred eight strains of H. influenzae were consecutively isolated with less than 50% being from the respiratory tract. The sensitivity by microdilution in supplement Isosensitest was studied. RESULTS: Thirty-five percent of the strains were producers of beta-lactamase which predominate among those isolated in systemic infections and specially among those from Madrid (58.78%) and Barcelona (61.8%). The strains producing beta-lactamase were more resistant to all the antimicrobials than the non producers. Five point two percent of the strains were resistant to ampicillin by non enzymatic mechanisms. Resistance to chloramphenicol is frequent (28.6%) especially among strains producing beta-lactamase, strains of ocular origin and ORL (46%) and systemic infections (74.3%). The distribution is irregular, being more frequent in Seville (66.7%) and not detectable in Barcelona. Resistance to tetracycline is also usually linked to the production of beta-lactamase and not necessarily to that of chloramphenicol. Resistance to cotrimoxazole is the most frequent (67.5%) specially in Valladolid (87.5%). Resistance to cefaclor is of 60.7% being the most frequent among those isolated from ocular processes and ORL. Only 28 strains (9.1%) were sensitive to all the antimicrobials tested. Thirty-nine percent were multiresistant. CONCLUSIONS: The authors found a slight increase in the high resistance detected in 1986. This increase was not uniform in all of Spain being significant in Madrid with producers of beta-lactamase, in Seville to chloramphenicol, to tetracycline in Bilbao and cotrimoxazole in Valencia.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1993

[Application of PCR for the detection of mutations in the genes coding for beta-lactamases].

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to develop a satisfactory technique to detect punctual mutations in blaTEM genes. METHODS: The strains [E. coli HB 101 pBR322 (TEM-1), E. coli J62 RP4 (TEM-2)] were submitted to PCR with primers PL1 and PL2 which amplify the genetic region susceptible of punctual mutations. Then, we developed Southern blot and hybridization with oligonucleotide probes (GIn 37, Lys 37 y Thr 261), corresponding to first and last mutations. RESULTS: A region of 841 bp was amplified using the primers previously described. Hybridization experiments with the Thr 261 probe gave positive signal with both strains (both carry the mutation); GIn 37 only hybridized with TEM-1 and Lys 37 only with TEM-2. CONCLUSIONS: The use of primers which amplify all the region susceptible of mutations in blaTEM and oligonucleotide probes allows the specific detection of point modifications in the original genes by the use of digoxigenin-labeled oligonucleotide probes.

Adamantane↗
PubMed1993

[Diagnosis of anaerobic infection of the pleural fluid using gas-liquid chromatography].

BACKGROUND: An assessment of the efficacy of the detection of volatile and non-volatile fatty acids that are produced by microorganisms aimed at the possible diagnosis of pleural empyema. METHODS: 106 pleural fluids were examined by gas-liquid chromatography in contrast to conventional aerobic and anaerobic cultures. The sample previously prepared (1 microliter) was injected in an Hewlett-Packard 5890 chromatograph, that was equipped with a fused silica capillary column and a flame ionization detector. RESULTS: Growth of aerobic or anaerobic microorganisms was obtained in 13 (12.3%) of the samples, and volatile or non-volatile fatty acids were detected in all of them (sensitivity = 1). No growth was obtained in the 93 samples, but volatile or non-volatile fatty acids were detected in 64 (68.8%) of them (specificity = 0.31). A positive predictive value of 0.17 and a negative predictive value of 1 were obtained. Growth of anaerobic microorganisms was obtained in 9 samples (8.5%) and volatile fatty acids were detected in all of them (sensitivity = 1). Anaerobic microorganisms did not grow in 97 samples, however volatile fatty acids were detected in 2 (2.1%) of them. A positive predictive value of 0.82 and a negative of 1 were obtained. CONCLUSIONS: Referring to pleural fluid samples, the detection of volatile and non-volatile fatty acids by gas-liquid chromatography is a highly sensitive method, that may be used to quickly reject negative samples in about 30 mins. Furthermore, when anaerobic microorganisms exist, the high specificity of gas-liquid chromatography will make it possible to confirm their presence in the sample, mainly if there is a clinical suspect of anaerobic infection. Thus, the utilization of this sensitive method may also change the therapeutic behaviour.

Bacteria, Aerobic↗
PubMed1993

[Estimation of infection by Aspergillus fumigatus in mice infected experimentally by the respiratory route].

BACKGROUND: To evaluate a new chitin detection technique for the quantification of Aspergillus fumigatus infection in organs from air-borne infected mice. METHODS: Different groups of mice were air-borne infected with A. fumigatus spores. The mortality rate was studied as well as the extension of the infection by means of colony counts (UFC) and quantification of chitin . RESULTS: The inhalation of A. fumigatus spores by non-immunosuppressed mice produces a 34% mortality rate, with an initial invasion of lung tissue followed by the spleen, kidneys, heart and liver thereafter. CONCLUSION: The quantification of chitin in involved organs allowed us to estimate the degree of organ-specific fungal infections and perhaps could be an useful method for studying the pathogenesis of A. fumigatus infections.

Administration, Inhalation↗