Biomedical subjects

V Q Nguyen

Publications and source records attributed to V Q Nguyen.

22 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1988

Results of a prospective statewide reporting system for infective endocarditis.

To better understand the microbiology, anatomy, and demography of infectious endocarditis, we devised a prospective statewide reporting system to study these infections. Because our study design required accurate diagnosis, reliable case reporting, and a high probability of physician-to-case exposure, we enlisted the help of cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, and infectious disease specialists throughout Louisiana. All Louisiana members of the American College of Cardiology and the Infectious Diseases Society of America were invited to participate. Participants were supplied with a brief endocarditis report form and asked to complete the form as they saw patients with infective endocarditis. Seventy-five patients with infective endocarditis were reported for a case rate of 1.7 per 100,000 persons per year. This report analyzes the results from this one-year study.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1988

Pneumococcosuria in adults.

Pneumococcal bacteriuria is usually felt to indicate systemic pneumococcal infection, especially in children. To determine the frequency and significance of pneumococcosuria in adults, we reviewed the Shreveport Veterans Administration Medical Center microbiology laboratory log books for 1982 through 1985. During these 4 years, more patients had pneumococcal bacteriuria than bacteremia (38 versus 33), but only 2 patients had both. The medical records from 31 bacteriuric patients with 35 positive urine specimens were available for review. The collection technique was reliable for 23 (66%) urine specimens; the type of collection technique used was unknown for 12 (34%). The urine pH was less than or equal to 6 in 24 (68%) specimens, and the specific gravity was greater than 1.020 in 12 specimens (34%). A total of 24 specimens grew only Streptococcus pneumoniae, and 11 yielded mixed growth. All 31 patients were men, 25 (81%) were 60 years or older, and 13 (42%) had underlying genitourinary disorders. A total of 7 patients had genitourinary symptoms, 7 had fever, 5 had leukocytosis, and 12 had pyuria; however, these symptoms and signs were frequently accounted for by factors other than pneumococcosuria. Pneumococcosuria was an unexpected finding in all but two (6%) bacteremic patients. These were the only patients with systemic pneumococcal infections, and both died despite appropriate antibiotics. Among the 20 surviving patients with follow-up urine samples, pneumococcosuria resolved whether or not they had received antibiotics. Thus, pneumococcosuria in our patient population was frequently not accompanied by systemic pneumococcal infection and by itself did not require antibiotic therapy.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Effect of photodynamic therapy on blood flow in normal and tumor vessels.

The aim of this series of experiments was to determine the dynamic blood flow changes that occur in normal and neoplastic tissues during photodynamic therapy. Mice bearing SMT-F tumors and rats with transplanted chondrosarcomas were injected with graded doses of dihematoporphyrin ether. Studies of changes in single-vessel and whole-tumor blood flow were carried out with 630 nm light activation. A helium neon laser Doppler velocimeter was used to stimulate dihematoporphyrin ether, as well as to measure changes in flow velocity in both single-vessel and whole-tumor models. There was a reduction of flow velocity in all vessels and tumors in animals injected with 1 to 40 mg/kg dihematoporphyrin ether intraperitoneally. The extent of flow reduction was related to drug dose administered. Decreases in blood flow began within 10 seconds of light stimulation and were maximal within 5 minutes. Both normal and tumor vessels responded similarly. We conclude that photodynamic therapy leads to significant microcirculatory changes that may be pertinent to the mechanism of tumor necrosis.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Candida krusei infectious arthritis. A rare complication of neutropenia.

Candida krusei infections are increasing in neutropenic patients. This is the first report of a case of C. krusei arthritis in a neutropenic leukemic patient. The organism colonized the patient's respiratory tract and most likely seeded the right knee by hematogenous spread. Knee swelling and tenderness were minimal. Joint fluid Gram stain and fungal smears did not show the organism despite positive results on cultures. With therapy, the joint fluid converted from neutrophilic predominance to lymphocytic predominance. Despite sterilization of knee fluid, clinical relapse occurred after therapy with 256 mg of systemic amphotericin B; the infection was cured after a total dose of 456 mg.

Adult↗