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Biomedical subjects

V Luca

Publications and source records attributed to V Luca.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Hepatitis C virus serotypes in Romanian patients with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) serotypes in Romanian patients with chronic hepatitis infections and the association between them and disease's severity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Anti-HCV antibodies were first investigated by an indirect ELISA (Murex IIIrd generation). From 55 patients positive for anti-HCV, 22 patients (11 female and 11 male) with chronic active hepatitis (CAH--6 cases), chronic persistent hepatitis (CPH--11 cases) and cirrhosis (C--5 cases) were tested for HCV serotypes using an indirect ELISA (Murex HCV Serotypes 1-6 Assay). The average age for the selected group was 47.2 years (range 27 divided by 68). RESULTS: In the first study from our region concerning this subject we have found the following serotypes distribution: serotype 1--68.18% (6/11--CPH; 4/6--CAH; 5/5--C); serotypes 2, 3, 4, and 6--4.54% for each of them (all were CPH cases); untypable--13.65% (2 with CAH and 1 CPH respectively). CONCLUSIONS: (1) The serotype 1 seems to be predominant in our region in patients with chronic HCV infections and it is associated with the most severe cases. (2) The diversity of serotypes is higher compared with previous study group results (e.g. in haemodialized patients the serotype 1 was determined in almost 100% cases--unpublished data). (3) Untypable strains (13.65%) require the sequence analysis for HCV genome characterization.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Fungal infection in AIDS patients. Consideration for 10 cases].

Clinic, etiologic and therapeutic study of fungic infection in AIDS patients. The retrospective clinical study of the 10 AIDS patients admitted between 01.01.1994 and 31.12.2000 in Infectious Diseases Clinical Hospital of Iaşi. The majority of the cases (7) were registered in the last 3 years: 4 children and 6 adults. HIV infection was known only for 4 patients according to their history, and for the other 6 patients this diagnosis was made concomitantly of fungic infection diagnosis. The disease onset was insidious in 7 cases (2 children and 5 adults) being characterized by manifestations of nervous system involvement and consciousness disturbances (6 cases). The etiological diagnosis was established for alive patients by cerebrospinal fluid culture and hemocultures and Cryptococcus neoformans was isolated for 9 patients and Candida to another one. Fungic infection lead to meningeal injuries to 6 patients and the systemic one in for 4 patients. Although, under antifungical and antiretroviral therapy, the disease was lethal for 4 patients. The fungic infection recrudesces in AIDS patients, possessing systemic or/and meningeal manifestation, long evolution that can be lethal for a lot of them.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Hemophilus influenzae meningitis- the experience of infectious diseases department between 1984-2001].

Our paper presents a clinico-biological and therapeutical study of the cases admitted in Infectious Diseases Hospital between January 1984-December 2001. We studied the records of all the patients that suffered from meningitis with Haemophilus influenzae. In above mentioned period 40 cases of Haemophilus influenzae meningitis was admitted; 6 patients (15%) died. A number of 13 cases was registered for the first five years, mainly in the childhood-32 cases (80%) for infants. Bacteriological diagnosis was made by bacterioscopia for 16 patients, bacteriological cultures-30 patients, latex test, performed in the last five years, in 8 cases. In patients who died, the bacteriologic culture was positive in 5 cases and bacterioscopia in 4 cases. The therapy was performed in resonance with antibiograme results for the involved strains. The Haemophilus influenzae meningitis is an acute and severe disease of the childhood, with an important risk of death, despite the rigorous therapeutical measures.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Leptospirosis-clinico-biological and therapeutical aspects-study of 256 cases].

Leptospirosis is a zooantroponosis manifested as an infectious disease with a severe evolution, with liver and renal failure and hemorrhagic manifestation. The aim of this study was to present the clinico-biological investigation and the therapeutical aspects of 256 cases of leptospirosis admitted in the Infectious Diseases Hospital Iasi during 4 years (1998-2001). The diagnosis was based on the study of clinico-biological and therapeutical parameters (risk factors, fever, mialgia, headache, algic, eruptive, meningeal, hepatorenal, hemorrhagic syndromes with the serological evidence of the serotypes of leptospirosis); most of the cases were registered in 1998 (23% cases), in adults (31.2%) and male (75.22%). All the patients were serologic confirmed with leptospirosis (RAL and RFC), and L. icterohaemorhagiae was isolated most frequently. The standard anti-leptospirosis treatment was administered with favorable evolution; 6 deaths were registered from the severe forms of the disease. The leptospirosis is an emergent disease with the possibility of severe evolution in some forms, with liver and renal failure.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The demonstration by immunofluorescence of inframicrobial antigens on samples of peripheral blood vessels (artery and vein) from subjects with different vascular diseases].

The presence of fourteen inframicrobial agents was investigated by the immunofluorescence technique using specific antisera on 345 samples of arteries and veins collected during operation from patients with chronic vascular diseases (arteritis, varicosity) and on 50 samples of umbilical cord. Results indicated a positivity rate of 75.45%; most of the cases had associations of two to five antigens. Coxsackie A virus and mycoplasmas were the agents most frequently found.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Acute nosocomial bacterial meningitis. Apropos 27 cases].

Our series includes 27 patients with nosocomial meningitis (22 post neurosurgery and 5 post spinal puncture) of whom 15 with stated etiology (gram-negative bacilli and staphylococcus aureus in equal shares). Under the treatment with chloramphenicol + rifampicin + gentamicin a cure was obtained in 22 cases, improvement in 3 cases and 2 patients died.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Digestive implications of human immunodeficiency virus infection].

AIDS, still present with severe prognosis at the beginning of the 3rd Millennium, may present gastrointestinal and hepatic involvement. Even they have not a fatal prognosis, in order to improve the quality of life of AIDS patients we need a broad knowledge of and to treat the gastrointestinal and hepatic manifestation of the disease.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Acute viral encephalitis. Experience of the Iaşi Infectious Disease Clinic between January 2000 and March 2003].

We analyzed the patients files suffered from acute viral encephalitis in 39 months period: January 2000-march 2003. According to our data there was a total of 33 patients; one of them died. The most involved patients were male and of the 8-14 year group of age; for the first three month in 2003 were admitted 11 patients. Coma and seizures were the most frequent clinical signs. LCR had the usual abnormalities for the above mentioned disease; the treatment was mainly performed with corticosteroids; 28 cases were admitted more than 8 days period. The evolution of the clinical status was satisfactory for all 32 patients.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Cutaneous and oral manifestations in HIV-infected children and adults--169 cases].

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to evaluate cutaneous and oral manifestations in infected HIV patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 169 cases admitted in Infectiouse Disease Department of Iaşi in 2001-2002 period. RESULTS: Cutaneous and oral manifestations were: candidiasis (99 cases), herpes virus infectious (36 cases), scabies and straphylococcal/streptococcal skin disease (26 cases), prurigo nodularis, psoriasis and verruca vulgaris (9 cases). Children of 0-13 year old group was 75.73 percent. Classification of HIV infection was related with CD4 count for 166 cases. Twelve cases with oral pharyngitis candidiasis, scabies and streptococcal skin diseases was 2-3 recurrent episodes of manifestations. Etiotrop treatment was associated with HAART therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Cutaneous and oral manifestations are occurred frequently in HIV infected patients, with a various etiology, but the severity, persistence and its evolution did not evaluate.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Activity of fourth generation cephalosporins against clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae].

Cefpirome and cefepime are a novel group of cephalosporins which contain a positively charged quaternary ammonium at carbon 3 of the dihidrothiazone ring. The antimicrobial agents cefpirome, cefepime, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, cefoperazone and imipenem were tested against clinical isolates of Escherichia coli (n = 302) and Klebsiella spp. (n = 62) obtained during september-december 2002 from patients of Galaţi Emergency Hospital. The fourth generation cephalosporins cefpirome and cefepime have similar in vitro activities to the third generation cephalosporins. E. coli showed the comparable resistance rates for all cephalosporins. Against Klebsiella spp. strains cefpirome was less active (35.5% resistance) than cefepime (25.8% resistance). As expected, imipenem had excellent activity (100% susceptibility).

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Possibilities and limits of antiretroviral actual therapy].

The therapies now approved for HIV-infection inhibit one of two viral-specific enzymes, reversetranscriptase or protease. Combining this drugs into regimes based on at least three individual drugs--so-called HAART--has resulted in a remarkable reduction in HIV-associated morbidity and mortality. Despite these therapeutic advances, many patients are either intolerant of available agents or develop virologic failure. Problems of adherence, drug-resistance, latent reservoirs and drug-induced toxic effects that compromise effective viral control point to need for new strategies (e.g. structured treatment interruptions--STIs) and new classes of anti-HIV drugs with different modes of action (e.g. blocking HIV entry into human cells or fusion process). The use of adjunctive immune-based therapy such as IL-2 may permit more extensive immune restoration.

Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Side effects of antiretroviral therapy].

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has changed the natural history of HIV infection, but the presence of adverse events may limit its efficacy. Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors can cause mitochondrial toxicity and anemia, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors are associated with rash and central nervous system disturbance; protease inhibitors elicit gastrointestinal adverse effects and metabolic abnormalities including lipodystrophy syndrome, hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance. These complications have the potential to increase morbidity and mortality significantly in those requiring long-term treatment of HIV-infection. The presence of such abnormalities also has an impact on adherence to treatment. Besides providing health benefits, HAART may have a negative impact on patients' quality of life. Identifying and treating these complications has important implications for patient survival.

Anemia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Lamivudine and alpha-IFN treatment of a severe case of acute hepatitis B].

In order to enhance the viral clearance we used a combined antiviral therapy in an 18 year old patient, hospitalized in the Infectious Diseases Hospital-Iaşi, in June 2002. The evolution under standard therapy was unsatisfactory, with the aggravation of the icteric syndrome and a constant cytolytic syndrome. At this point we used the combination of Lamivudine (Zeffix) 100 mg/24 h + alpha-IFN 3 milUI x 3/week for the duration of 8 weeks. The improvement in both clinical and biochemical condition of the patient was obvious. At the end of the treatment (8 weeks) none of the signs or symptoms were present, the patient became AgHBs negative, AgHBe negative and anti-HBe positive. The combined antiviral therapy was useful (with the clearance of the HBs antigen) in a severe case of acute hepatitis B.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Tetanus in childhood--experience at the Infectious Disease Hospital Iaşi, January 1980-October 2003].

The aim of our study is to present the tetanus pediatric cases for almost 24 year period. We analyzed epidemiologically, clinico-biologically and the treatment from the patients' files. In above mentioned period were admitted 8 children with tetanus, 4 cases in 1980-1990; 5 patients were female, mainly came from suburban area; 12-15 year old group of age was mainly involved-3 cases. A point of entry was certified in 7 cases, the mean incubation period was 9.2 days, all the cases had a typical form of the disease. The complications were: bronchopneumonia, ileus (1 case). The performed treatment--antitetanic serum, antibiotics, sedatives, curare for 3 patients; no patient died. A rare disease for the pediatric age, tetanus could be a severe disease, with severe complications.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae--rare etiology of persistent febrile syndrome].

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a Gram-positive rod, carried by many domestic and pet animals and very resistant in the environmental habitat, causing an anthropo-zoonosis infection in humans. It can determine, most frequently, a skin infection and may cause also septic arthritis or systemic infection, usually associated with aortic endocarditis. Bacteremia without endocarditis is a very rare presentation, generally seen in immunocompromised patients. We report such an unexpected diagnosis in a 75-years old woman, with mitral regurgitation, who was investigated for a persistent febrile syndrome, with no evidence of vegetation on repeated echo examinations and no evidence of the entry portal and who recovered successfully from an E. rhusiopathiae bacteremia with Ampicillin iv. therapy for 14 days.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[A seroepidemiologic and virological study of the presence of arboviruses in Moldavia in 1961-1982].

In Romania, St. Drăgănescu et al., Miszkolczy et al., based on clinical and epidemiological observations, affirmed the possible presence of "tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)". However, critical retrospective evaluation of certain others' papers published through 1958-1971 reveal some uncommon features. By way of example: a very high incidence of CF- and HI-antibodies in acute and chronic CNS illnesses as well as in general population; replication in nucleus and maturation in mitochondria of a strain of "TBE virus" isolated from a patient CSF; isolation of "group B arbovirus" from Ixodes persulcatus on Romanian territory. As known, this tick was not identified in Romania, "no tick-borne Flavivirus isolated outside the U.S.S.R. proved to be a strain of RSSE virus" and "no arbovirus (Alpha- and Flavivirus or Bunyavirus) was ever detected in nucleus". Based on the HI reaction with West Nile (WN) virus, strain Egypt 101, human, domestic and wild vertebrates sera, treated with acetone for removal of nonspecific inhibitors, were tested as part of a control study, in Moldavia in 1961. WN virus was selected for its capacity to crossreact in the HI test with many members of the family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus (formerly Group B arboviruses), including the agents of Central European encephalitis. In order to avoid the interference of nonspecific inhibitors, a new single radial haemolysis test for the assay of antibodies to haemagglutinating arboviruses was calibrated in 1979. The seroepidemiological study performed on all 19.853 sera (10.698 human, 6.452 domestic mammals, 2.477 wild small rodents and 226 migrating aquatic birds) pointed out a very low circulation of Flaviviruses in the investigated area. The attempts to isolate such viruses from Ixodes ricinus on suckling mice yielded a single strain of Kemerovo (genus Orbivirus) virus. The need of extending the study to other viruses transmitted by arthropods and rodents, and mainly on the haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, an illness already clinically identified in Moldavia, is emphasized. Final consideration of viability (specificity, sensitivity, accuracy and precision) of the tests used and the need for continuous quality control is also presented.

Antibodies, Viral↗