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Biomedical subjects

R de Haller

Publications and source records attributed to R de Haller.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

[Epidemiology of pulmonary tuberculosis in the prison environment].

Despite the decline in pulmonary tuberculosis in industrial countries since the beginning of the century, screening remains important, particularly in population groups at special risk such as jail inmates. A 1-year prospective study in 865 prisoners in Geneva shows that the prevalence of active and residual tuberculosis is five to ten times higher than in the general population. The reasons for this high prevalence are low socio-economic status and lack of a regular job or fixed residence for many prisoners. These facts illustrate the importance of introducing systematic diagnosis and, if necessary, rapid therapeutic measures in jails, with the triple purpose of contributing to the fight against tuberculosis among prisoners, prison staff and the population as a whole.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

[Comparison of skin reactions (Mantoux) made with 2 common tuberculins in Switzerland: diagnostic and epidemiologic implications].

Simultaneous tuberculin skin tests (Mantoux) with the two products used in Switzerland (both from RT 23) were compared in 36 individuals. The results show a wide range of scatter with a very poor correlation coefficient. Out of these 36 subjects - of whom 12 had tuberculosis-with positive skin test with one tuberculin, only 11 had a positive result with the other, the mean diameter of the latter being 50% lower. These findings make interpretation of the national tuberculin cadaster hazardous and also render proper diagnosis in individual cases very difficult if the two tuberculins are used. As in other countries, only one tuberculin should be used on the national scale, in order to provide comparable epidemiological data and guarantee better individual diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

[Clinical suspicion of tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacteria].

During the year 1979, 28 out of 95 patients with positive culture for acid-fast bacilli exhibited non-tuberculous mycobacteria (29.5%). In 15 cases the radiological and clinical findings were consistent with the diagnosis of tuberculosis, but only in one case (cutaneous lesion) was the pathology due to the mycobacteria isolated whereas in all others the bacteria was a saprophyte. This study suggests that non-tuberculous mycobacteria may be more frequent than expected in our region, and demonstrates the importance of their precise identification in order to stop their treatment. Nevertheless, in case of doubt and until identification results are obtained, such patients must be treated as probable tuberculosis cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

[Humidifier lung].

Breathing air from a humidifier or an air conditioning unit contaminated by various microorganisms can cause an acute lung disease involving fever, cough and dyspnea, termed "humidifier fever". This type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis was first described in 1959 by PESTALOZZI in the Swiss literature and subsequently by BANASZAK et al. in the Anglo-American. Here a chronic form of this disease which led to pulmonary fibrosis is described: A 37-year-old woman who works in a cheese shop presented with dyspnea which had been progressive over two years, weight loss, a diffuse reticular pattern radiographically and a severe restrictive defect in lung function tests. Open lung biopsy revealed chronic interstitial and alveolar inflammation with non-caseating granulomas and fibrotic changes. Circulating immune complexes and precipitins against the contaminated humidifier water and cheese mites were found, but no antibodies suggesting legionnaires' disease. Two out of five otherwise healthy employees of this cheese shop, where a new humidifying system had been installed 7 years earlier, also had precipitins against the contaminated water from the humidifier and the cheese mites. Despite ending of exposure and longterm steroid and immunosuppressive therapy, the signs and symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis persisted. Contrary to the acute disease, this chronic form is termed "humidifier lung". The importance is stressed of investigating the possibility of exposure to contaminated humidifiers or air conditioning units in all cases of newly detected pulmonary fibrosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Serological investigations in 15 cases of bird fanciers disease.

Serological studies in 15 patients with bird fanciers disease are reported. Quantitative analysis of serum proteins showed elevation of IgG in almost every case. High IgE was observed in three patients with isolated asthmatic reactions. In four patients alpha1-antitrypsin was transiently diminished. Two of these had heterozygous deficiency of this protein (genotype MS and MZ). Precipitins against avian sera and avian droppings were found in all patients, but also in some exposed and nonexposed controls. Cross-reactions to avian antigens from different species were observed quite regularly in patients but not in controls. One case is presented suggesting that these cross-reactions may be of clinical importance. Precipitins against other inhaled antigens such as Aspergillus fumigatus, cereals or Micropolyspora faeni were observed significantly more frequently in patients than in controls. These precipitins showed no cross-reactions with those against avian antigens.

Adult↗
PubMed1972

Serological investigations of a bovine respiratory disease ("urner pneumonie") resembling farmer's lung.

The immunological response of cattle exposed to moldy hay was examined by agar gel diffusion with standard farmer's lung hay antigens. A high incidence of precipitins against Micropolyspora faeni (60%) and moldy hay antigen (80%) was detected in exposed but apparently healthy cattle from a region with a high incidence of bovine farmer's lung. In comparison, in the plains, a low incidence area, we found only 1 animal of 164 harboring precipitins against M. faeni. We further observed that many animals from exposed populations lost their precipitins during pasturing and regained them during winter housing. Thirty-nine clinical cases of bovine farmer's lung ("Urner Pneumonie") were investigated serologically. Only 49% of these animals showed precipitins against M. faeni and 54% showed precipitins against moldy hay antigen. We discuss in this paper the probable causes of this apparent lack of immunological response.

Agar↗
PubMed1971

[Farmer's lung].

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