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Biomedical subjects

T M Hooton

Publications and source records attributed to T M Hooton.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Prevalence of herpesvirus, human T-lymphotropic virus type 1, and treponemal infections in Southeast Asian refugees.

Sera obtained for treponemal serology (VDRL) from 193 Southeast Asian refugees representing five ethnic groups seen in a primary care clinic were examined for antibodies to human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1), human herpes-virus-6 (HHV-6), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV). The seroprevalence was highest for EBV (99%), followed in decreasing order by CMV (95%), HHV-6 (26%), and HTLV-1 (0.6%). The VDRL was positive in 15% of patients. The highest seroprevalence to HHV-6 was noted in the Chinese (33%) and the lowest in the Laotian hilltribes, the Mien and Hmong (14%). Antibody to HHV-6 was most prevalent among patients under 20 and those between 60 and 69 years of age. Differences were not found among ethnic groups in the seroprevalence of HTLV-1, EBV, or CMV.

Adult↗

An outbreak of respiratory syncytial virus in a bone marrow transplant center.

An outbreak of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection occurred among 31 patients in a marrow transplant center over a 13-week period beginning in January 1990. RSV infection was also documented in 35 family members and employees. Of 18 patients with pneumonia, 14 (78%) died. None of 13 with upper respiratory infection died. Preengraftment patients tended to develop pneumonia more frequently than did engrafted patients. Early administration of ribavirin may have had a beneficial effect in patients with pneumonia. Antigenic and genomic analysis of 14 available isolates suggested that at least four different viral strains were responsible for the outbreak. One group of patients and 1 employee in spatial proximity were infected with the same strain and likely acquired their infections nosocomially. RSV infection in marrow transplant patients is a serious and life-threatening infection with a high mortality rate once pneumonia develops.

Adolescent↗

Effect of foscarnet therapy on human immunodeficiency virus p24 antigen levels in AIDS patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis.

Circulating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) p24 antigen levels were measured in 22 AIDS patients who had detectable serum antigen at baseline after induction and maintenance therapy of foscarnet for cytomegalovirus retinitis in phase I/II multicenter trials. The HIV p24 antigen levels decreased from a baseline value of 199 +/- 236 (mean +/- SD) and 140 pg/mL (median) to 106 +/- 218 and 28 pg/mL after 14 days of foscarnet induction therapy (60 mg/kg every 8 h). During chronic foscarnet maintenance, there was a sustained decrease in mean HIV p24 antigen levels below pre-foscarnet therapy baseline concentrations for a median of 16 weeks after foscarnet induction. These results provide evidence for a sustained clinical antiretroviral effect of chronic foscarnet maintenance therapy, consistent with a recent report that foscarnet-treated AIDS patients live longer than ganciclovir-treated patients.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Ofloxacin versus doxycycline for treatment of cervical infection with Chlamydia trachomatis.

Women with culture-proven Chlamydia trachomatis cervical infection were randomized to receive either ofloxacin (300 mg) or doxycycline (100 mg), orally twice daily for 7 days. All 56 had negative cultures 5 to 9 days after treatment. Four weeks after treatment, 26 (93%) of 28 ofloxacin-treated patients and all 22 doxycycline-treated patients were cured. We conclude that 300 mg of ofloxacin given twice daily for 7 days provides effective therapy for chlamydial infection of the cervix.

Chlamydia Infections↗

Use of traditional health practices by Southeast Asian refugees in a primary care clinic.

To determine the prevalence of use of traditional health practices among different ethnic groups of Southeast Asian refugees after their arrival in the United States, we conducted a convenience sample of 80 Cambodian, Lao, Mien, and ethnic Chinese patients (20 each) attending the University of Washington Refugee Clinic for a new or follow-up visit. Interpreters administered a questionnaire that dealt with demographics, medical complaints, traditional health practices, health beliefs, and attitudes toward Western practitioners. In all, 46 (58%) patients had used one or more traditional health practices, but the prevalence varied by ethnic group. Coining and massage were used by all groups except the Mien, whereas moxibustion and healing ceremonies were performed almost exclusively by the Mien. Traditional health practices were used for a variety of symptoms and, in 78% of reported uses, patients reported alleviation of symptoms. The use of traditional health practices is common among Southeast Asian refugees. Clinicians who care for this population should be aware of these practices because they may supersede treatments prescribed by physicians or leave cutaneous stigmata that may be confused with disease or physical abuse. Good patient care may necessitate the use or tolerance of both Western and traditional modalities in many Southeast Asian refugees.

Adolescent↗

A comparison of azithromycin and penicillin V for the treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis.

The safety and efficacy of azithromycin was compared with that of penicillin V in a multicenter study of the treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis in outpatients. Patients were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to either azithromycin 500 mg once on day 1 followed by 250 mg once daily for 4 days, or penicillin V (V-Cillin K) 250 mg every 6 hours for 10 days. Two hundred and forty-two patients from 29 centers were evaluable at the 11th day after enrollment. Five of 229 (2.2%) azithromycin-treated patients were not evaluable because their enrollment isolates of group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS) were resistant to the drug. In both treatment groups, 99% of patients were clinically cured or improved. Eradication of GABHS occurred in 91% of azithromycin-treated patients compared with 96% of penicillin-treated patients (p = 0.21). Of the patients who had a recurrence of GABHS, clinical evidence of infection occurred in 3 of 13 (23%) patients who had been treated with azithromycin and in 7 of 10 (70%) patients treated with penicillin. Adverse events, generally mild to moderate gastrointestinal complaints, were significantly more common in the azithromycin-treated patients (16.6%) than in penicillin-treated patients (1.7%) (p less than 0.001). Discontinuation because of side effects occurred with similar frequency in both groups. Azithromycin appears to be a safe and effective alternative treatment for streptococcal pharyngitis in adult outpatients.

Abdominal Pain↗

Escherichia coli bacteriuria and contraceptive method.

We evaluated the effects of contraceptive method on the occurrence of bacteriuria and vaginal colonization with Escherichia coli in 104 women who were evaluated prior to having sexual intercourse, the morning after intercourse, and 24 hours later. After intercourse, the prevalence of E coli bacteriuria increased slightly in oral contraceptive users but dramatically in both foam and condom users and diaphragm-spermicide users. Twenty-four hours later, the prevalence of bacteriuria remained significantly elevated only in the latter two groups. Similarly, vaginal colonization with E coli was more dramatic and persistent in users of diaphragm-spermicide and foam and condoms. Vaginal colonization with Candida species, enterococci, and staphylococci also increased significantly in diaphragm-spermicide users after intercourse. We conclude that use of the diaphragm with spermicidal jelly or use of a spermicidal foam with a condom markedly alters normal vaginal flora and strongly predisposes users to the development of vaginal colonization and bacteriuria with E coli.

Adult↗

Management of acute uncomplicated urinary tract infection in adults.

Acute uncomplicated UTI is one of the most common problems for which young women seek medical attention, and it accounts for considerable morbidity and health care costs. Acute cystitis is a superficial infection of the bladder mucosa, whereas pyelonephritis involves tissue invasion of the upper urinary tract. Localization tests suggest that as many as one third of episodes of acute cystitis are associated with silent upper tract involvement. Acute cystitis or pyelonephritis in the adult patient should be considered uncomplicated if the patient is not pregnant or elderly, if there has been no recent instrumentation or antimicrobial treatment, and if there are no known functional or anatomic abnormalities of the genitourinary tract. Most of these infections are caused by E. coli, which are susceptible to many oral antimicrobials. Because of the superficial nature of cystitis, single-dose and 3-day regimens have gained wide acceptance as the preferred methods of treatment. Review of the published data suggests that a 3-day regimen is more effective than a single-dose regimen for all antimicrobials tested. Regimens with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole appear to be more effective than those with beta-lactams, regardless of the duration. Acute pyelonephritis does not necessarily imply a complicated infection. Upper tract infection with highly virulent uropathogens in an otherwise healthy woman may be considered an uncomplicated infection. The optimal treatment duration for acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis has not been established, and 14-day regimens are often used. We prefer to use antimicrobials that attain high renal tissue levels, such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or quinolones, for pyelonephritis. Women with frequently recurring infections can be successfully managed by continuous prophylaxis, either daily or thrice-weekly, by postcoital prophylaxis, or, in compliant patients, by early self-administration of single-dose or 3-day therapy as soon as typical symptoms are noted. Our drug of choice for all these regimens is trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Acute uncomplicated cystitis in adult men is very uncommon, but it is occasionally noted in homosexual men who practice insertive and intercourse or in heterosexual men whose partners have vaginal colonization with E. coli.

Acute Disease↗

Transmission of 'toxic strep' syndrome from an infected child to a firefighter during CPR.

Several cases of a toxic shocklike syndrome have been reported in the United States during the past five years in association with Streptococcus pyogenes infection. We report a case of a firefighter exposed during attempted CPR to the secretions of an S pyogenes-infected child. The firefighter developed an infection of the hand and subsequent febrile illness with hypotension, erythematous rash, renal failure, and hypocalcemia. Bacterial isolates of blood and cerebrospinal fluid from the deceased child were identical in type and exotoxin production with isolates grown from the hand wound of the firefighter. This is the first reported case of documented transmission of S pyogenes, causing a toxic shocklike syndrome in an emergency medical technician.

Adult↗

Nonoxynol-9: differential antibacterial activity and enhancement of bacterial adherence to vaginal epithelial cells.

The antibacterial activity and adherence-enhancing effects of nonoxynol-9 were evaluated against vaginal and uropathogenic bacteria. Nonoxynol-9 was markedly less active against the 43 uropathogenic bacterial and yeast strains tested (MIC90, greater than 32%) than against the 26 Gardnerella vaginalis strains (MIC90, less than or equal to 0.015%) and the 53 Lactobacillus strains (MIC90, 8%) tested. Hydrogen peroxide-producing strains of Lactobacillus were more susceptible to nonoxynol-9 (MIC90, 4%) than nonproducers (MIC90, 16%). Two Escherichia coli strains that expressed type 1 fimbriae and three vaginal strains of lactobacilli adhered in significantly higher numbers to vaginal epithelial cells preincubated with 5% nonoxynol-9 than to control cells preincubated with PBS. Spermicides may provide a selective advantage in colonizing the vagina with nonoxynol-9-resistant uropathogens such as E. coli, perhaps via a reduction in vaginal lactobacilli (especially hydrogen peroxide-producing strains) and through enhancement of adherence of E. coli to epithelial cells.

Bacteria↗

Single-dose and three-day regimens of ofloxacin versus trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for acute cystitis in women.

We compared the safety and efficacy of a single 400-mg dose of ofloxacin, ofloxacin (200 mg) once daily for 3 days, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (160:800 mg) twice daily for 7 days for the treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis (urinary tract infection [UTI]) in women. At 5 weeks posttreatment, 35 (81%) of 43 patients treated with single-dose ofloxacin, 40 (89%) of 45 treated with 3 days of ofloxacin, and 41 (98%) of 42 treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole were cured (P = 0.03, single-dose ofloxacin group versus trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole group). Retreatment for symptomatic recurrent UTI was given to 7 (16%) of 43 patients initially treated with single-dose ofloxacin, 3 (7%) of 45 patients treated with 3 days of ofloxacin, and 0 of 42 patients treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (P = 0.01, single-dose ofloxacin group versus trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole group). There was a trend in each of the three treatment groups toward an association between persistent or recurrent episodes of significant bacteriuria and a history of UTI in the past year and with diaphragm use. Ofloxacin was more effective than trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in eradicating Escherichia coli from rectal cultures during or soon after therapy, but there were no differences at later follow-up visits. Adverse effects were equally common among the three treatment groups. We conclude that single-dose ofloxacin was less effective than 7 days of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for treatment of uncomplicated cystitis in women, while the 3-day ofloxacin regimen and the trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole regimen were not significantly different in efficacy.

Acute Disease↗

Treatment of lower respiratory infections in outpatients with ofloxacin compared with erythromycin.

To assess the safety and efficacy of a ten-day oral course of ofloxacin (400 mg 12 hourly) as compared with erythromycin (400 mg every 6 hours) for treatment of lower respiratory tract infections, fifty-two adult outpatients with pulmonary infiltrates (pneumonia) or with a cough and purulent sputum (bronchitis) were evaluated. Expectorated sputum specimens were Gram-stained and cultured, and antibody titres to Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophilia, and in most cases Chlamydia pneumoniae were measured on acute and convalescent serum samples. Patients were evaluated clinically, microbiologically and radiographically three to five days after concluding therapy; the incidence of adverse reactions was monitored throughout the study period. The ofloxacin group (N = 25) was comprised of nineteen patients with pneumonia and six patients with bronchitis. The erythromycin group (N = 27) was comprised of thirteen patients with pneumonia and fourteen patients with bronchitis. All fifty-two patients were either clinically improved or cured after therapy. Microbiological cure was documented in all fourteen cases (27%) in which causative pathogens were identified. Clinical cure was achieved with ofloxacin in 68% of patients with pneumonia and in 83% of patients with bronchitis, while clinical cure with erythromycin was achieved in 46% of patients with pneumonia and 54% of patients with bronchitis. Adverse reactions (mostly mild gastrointestinal or central nervous system symptoms) were reported by eight patients receiving ofloxacin and four patients receiving erythromycin. While the types of adverse effects were similar, ofloxacin showed a trend toward a higher rate of cure than erythromycin. Ofloxacin is a promising new antibiotic for the treatment of acute lower respiratory infections.

Adult↗

Ciprofloxacin compared with doxycycline for nongonococcal urethritis. Ineffectiveness against Chlamydia trachomatis due to relapsing infection.

We compared 7-day regimens of ciprofloxacin in dosages of 750 and 1000 mg twice daily with doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for the treatment of nongonococcal urethritis in 178 men enrolled in a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial. The overall clinical response was comparable in the three treatment groups at both 2 and 4 weeks after therapy. However, among patients who initially had cultures positive for chlamydia, Chlamydia trachomatis was reisolated within 4 weeks after treatment in none of 10 doxycycline-treated patients, in 11 (52%) of 21 patients treated with 750 mg of ciprofloxacin twice daily, and in six (38%) of 16 patients treated with 1000 mg of ciprofloxacin twice daily. Each of the recurrent strains was identical in serotype to the original infecting strain. We conclude that ciprofloxacin in dosages as high as 2 g daily is inadequate for treatment of chlamydial urethritis in men, often resulting in relapsing infections.

Adult↗

Erythromycin for persistent or recurrent nongonococcal urethritis. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a 3-week regimen of erythromycin for treatment of persistent or recurrent nongonococcal urethritis in men. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, double-blind trial with follow-up at 2, 4, and 8 weeks after enrollment. PATIENTS: Seventy-seven evaluable men with objective evidence of nongonococcal urethritis (36 in the erythromycin group and 41 in the placebo group) with a mean age of 28 years, a median duration of urethritis of 3 months, and a median number of three previous antimicrobial regimens. INTERVENTION: Erythromycin, 500 mg, or placebo four times daily for 3 weeks. RESULTS: After 2 weeks of treatment, urethral symptoms resolved in 13 of 25 erythromycin-treated patients compared with 8 of 34 placebo-treated patients (P = 0.03). Erythromycin also resulted in more frequent resolution of urethral discharge and leukocytosis at all visits compared with placebo but these differences were not statistically significant. First-voided urine leukocyte counts decreased, however, by a median of 89% (95% CI, -96% to -67%) in the erythromycin group compared with 23% (CI, -73% to 83%) in the placebo group after treatment (P = 0.02 for the difference in changes). Further, in men with prostatic inflammation, urinary leukocyte counts decreased by a median of 94% (CI, -99% to -83%) after treatment in erythromycin-treated patients compared with a 46% increase (CI, -57% to 290%) in placebo-treated patients (P = 0.0003 for the difference in changes). CONCLUSION: A 3-week regimen of erythromycin was more effective than placebo in improving symptoms and in reducing pyuria in men with persistent or recurrent nongonococcal urethritis, especially among men with prostatic inflammation.

Adult↗

Sexually transmitted diseases in victims of rape.

The risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted disease as a result of rape is not known, in part because it is difficult to ascertain whether infections were present before the assault or acquired during it. To investigate this question, we examined female victims of rape within 72 hours of the assault and again at least one week after the assault. Of the 204 girls and women initially examined within 72 hours of the rape, 88 (43 percent) were found to have at least one sexually transmitted disease. These diseases included infections caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae (6 percent of those tested), cytomegalovirus (8 percent), Chlamydia trachomatis (10 percent), Trichomonas vaginalis (15 percent), herpes simplex virus (2 percent), Treponema pallidum (1 percent), and the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1; 1 percent) and bacterial vaginosis (34 percent). Among the 109 patients (53 percent) who returned for at least one follow-up visit (excluding those who were found to be infected at the first visit or who were treated prophylactically), the incidence of new disease was as follows: gonorrhea, 4 percent (3 of 71); chlamydial infection, 2 percent (1 of 65); trichomoniasis, 12 percent (10 of 81); and bacterial vaginosis, 19 percent (15 of 77). There were no new infections with herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, Trep. pallidum, or HIV-1, but follow-up serologic testing was performed in only 26 percent of the patients. On the basis of our assumptions that most venereal infections present within 72 hours of a rape were preexisting and that new infections identified 1 to 20 weeks later were acquired during the assault, we conclude that the prevalence of preexisting sexually transmitted diseases is high in victims of rape and that they have a lower but substantial additional risk of acquiring such diseases as a result of the assault.

Adolescent↗

The epidemiology of urinary tract infection and the concept of significant bacteriuria.

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are among the most common infections afflicting man. Urinary tract infections in young adult women are usually uncomplicated, but are often recurrent and cause considerable morbidity. Urinary tract infections in pregnant women, elderly patients, and catheterized patients warrant special attention because of their association with increased morbidity and possibly with increased mortality. Diagnosis of UTI is usually based on quantitation of uropathogens in voided urine. The traditional criteria for significant bacteriuria, greater than or equal to 10(5) uropathogens per ml of voided urine, is insensitive for detecting acute symptomatic cystitis in men and women and should be replaced with a lower colony count threshold.

Bacteriuria↗