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Biomedical subjects

S Grzybowski

Publications and source records attributed to S Grzybowski.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Tuberculosis in female nurses in British Columbia: implications for control programs.

All 57 cases of active tuberculosis in women in nursing and related assisting occupations (henceforth called nurses) notified in British Columbia between 1969 and 1979 were reviewed. This represented a mean annual incidence of active tuberculosis of 2.6/10 000, similar to that in other women, adjusted for age and birthplace. The rate varied according to birthplace: among nurses born in Canada the rate was 2.0, almost twice that of other women born in Canada, and among those born in Asia it was 24.8, less than half that of other women born in Asia. The nurses born in Canada who had received BCG (bacille Calmette-Guérin) during their training were least likely to contract tuberculosis, the incidence rate being comparable to that among other women. Those whose results of tuberculin testing were negative but who were not vaccinated were twice as likely to contract tuberculosis, whereas those whose results were positive at the start of training were four times as likely to contract tuberculosis. The feasibility and implications of a tuberculosis screening and surveillance program are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Microscopic evaluation of sputum specimens submitted for Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture.

Using microscopic screening criteria employed in the study of sputum in acute bacterial pneumonia, the authors evaluated 644 sputum samples from 347 patients submitted for mycobacterial bacterial culture. After microscopic examination, these specimens were processed using standard mycobacterial laboratory technics. Salivary specimens accounted for 67.1% of the samples evaluated, and yielded 13 of the total 42 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates, as well as 4 of the 21 smear-positive culture-positive specimens. Although specimens from the lower respiratory tract are preferred, specimens of a salivary nature should not be discarded by the Mycobacteriology Laboratory.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1985

BCG vaccine.

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Animals↗
PubMed1984

Ten year evaluation of a trial of chemoprophylaxis against tuberculosis in Frobisher Bay, Canada.

A trial of chemoprophylaxis to prevent tuberculosis in Canadian Inuit (Eskimos) was carried out in Frobisher Bay, Canada during 1971-1974. A completely supervised regimen of isoniazid and ethambutol thrice weekly for 18 months was administered. A 10-year evaluation of 370 treated persons and 217 control subjects demonstrates the sustained value of adequate chemoprophylaxis in reducing the risk of developing active tuberculosis in the 3 groups under study--1, those with a previous episode of active tuberculosis, 2, positive tuberculin reactors with normal chest X-ray and 3, BCG vaccinated individuals with large tuberculin reactions. There were 3 cases of active disease in the treated group, a risk of 0.1% per annum, and 13 cases among the controls, a risk of 1.0% per annum.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with allergic rhinitis.

The lymphocyte subpopulations were classified using monoclonal antibodies specific for B lymphocytes (B1 antibodies), T lymphocytes (T11 and OKT3 antibodies), helper/inducer T cells (T4 antibodies) and suppressor/cytotoxic T cells (T8 antibodies). Three groups of subjects were studied: 20 normal controls, 29 patients with allergic rhinitis and a subgroup of nine patients who had received immunotherapy. The proportion of B lymphocytes, total T cells and T4 positive (helper/inducer) cells were not significantly different between the groups, but allergic patients were found to have a decreased proportion of suppressor T8 positive (suppressor/cytotoxic) cells and hence a high helper/suppressor cell ratio. These abnormal parameters were found to be normal in the group of allergic patients who had received immunotherapy. These results imply that a suppressor cell deficiency may be an underlying mechanism of allergic disease, and that immunotherapy could correct the suppressor cell deficiency.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Epidemiologic health study of workers in an aluminum smelter in British Columbia. Effects on the respiratory system.

A health survey was carried out on all white males in an aluminum smelter in British Columbia. The survey consisted of a medical-occupational questionnaire, spirometry, chest radiography, and environmental monitoring. We have compared the results of a respiratory survey in 713 workers in the office and casting department with no significant exposure to air contaminants (control workers) with those of 797 potroom workers: 495 who spent more than 50% of their working time in the potroom (high exposure) and 302 workers who spent less than 50% of their working time in the potroom (medium exposure). Potroom workers (high) had a significantly greater prevalence of cough and wheeze than did those in the control group, and they had significantly lower mean forced expiratory volume in one second and maximal midexpiratory flow rate than did those in the control group after adjustment had been made for differences in age, height, and smoking habits. Potroom workers (medium) had a slightly greater prevalence of respiratory symptoms and lower lung function than did workers in the control group, but the differences were not significant. We were unable to demonstrate potroom asthma. The levels of total fluoride, gaseous fluoride, particulate fluoride, sulphur dioxide, and total particulates found in the potroom at the time of the study were below the currently accepted threshold limit values, but the levels of benzo-alpha-pyrene were high.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Tuberculosis in Inuit.

Tuberculous infection was first introduced to the majority of the Inuit (Eskimos) in the first half of this century. In the 1950s tuberculosis became a grave problem with the mortality rate approaching 1% per annum and the incident rate almost 3%. The annual risk of infection has been estimated at 25% per annum. These are probably the highest rates recorded anywhere in the world in the 20th century. Some 20-30 years ago, an intensive case-finding programme as well as a treatment programme began in all three jurisdictions where the Inuit live (northern Canada, Alaska and Greenland). The preventive measures differed; Alaska relying mainly on chemoprophylaxis and Greenland on BCG vaccination, while Canada adopted both measures. Over the last 20 years, the rates fell rapidly with the mortality rate approaching zero, and the morbidity (incidence) rate falling (Canadian Inuit) by the record 14% per annum. The high rates in the Inuit were, in part, an expression of the lack of 'natural' resistance acquired by other races through the exposure to tubercle bacilli for many generations. Over-crowding in igloos and frequent starvation among those Inuit who relied on cariboo meat, undoubtedly contributed a great deal to the gravity of the problem. The rapid decline of the rates is without doubt primarily caused by the intensive tuberculosis programme and the compliance of the Inuit with the demands of this programme; better housing and in some cases, improved nutrition doubtlessly also played a part.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗
PubMed1982

Tuberculous pleurisy.

A review of the records for all cases of tuberculous pleurisy notified in Canada from 1970 through 1974 and in British Columbia from 1967 through 1976 showed that in the periods studied the annual incidence of this condition was low, just under nine cases per million population, and was declining. The disease commonly occurred a few months after a primary infection with tubercle bacilli. Bacteriologic confirmation of the diagnosis was possible in only 40% of the cases since biopsy specimens were not consistently cultured.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Non-respiratory tuberculosis in Canada. Epidemiologic and bacteriologic features.

Of the total cases of tuberculosis reported in Canada between 1970-1974, approximately one-sixth (3671 cases) involved primarily non-respiratory organs. Common diagnostic entities were genitourinary tuberculosis (1516 cases), lymphadenitis (1083 cases), bone and joint tuberculosis (555 cases), gastrointestinal tuberculosis (155 cases) and meningitis (138 cases). The remainder (224 cases) involved a wide variety of organs. Between 1967 and 1977 the morbidity rates of most non-respiratory manifestations steadily declined, the decline in meningitis being particularly marked. In contrast, lymphadenitis did not decline to the same extent, reflecting changing immigration patterns. The major diagnostic entities differed in their age and sex patterns and in their contribution to total cases by birthplace and ethnic group. In particular, the preponderance of lymphadenitis in females, and in the Asian-born was striking. Mycobacterium bovis was isolated infrequently and bacillary resistance to antituberculosis drugs was also uncommon. In a substantial proportion of cases, active tuberculosis was present concurrently at another site, or there was historical or radiologic evidence of previous active tuberculosis. Despite this additional evidence, delay and failure of diagnosis were common. An increased clinical awareness of tuberculosis is required, particularly in view of the often enigmatic presentation of non-respiratory disease.

Age Factors↗