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Biomedical subjects

W J Boyko

Publications and source records attributed to W J Boyko.

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Relation of HTLV-III seropositivity and lymphadenopathy.

Testing for antibody to human T-lymphotropic retrovirus (HTLV-III) was carried out in five groups of homosexual men: 250 without lymphadenopathy (control group), 37 with slight or nonpersistent lymph node enlargement (intermediate group), 141 with persistent generalized lymphadenopathy, 32 with persistent generalized lymphadenopathy who underwent biopsy and 11 in whom acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) was diagnosed. The rates of HTLV-III seropositivity in the five groups were 18%, 32%, 61%, 94% and 91% respectively.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

The Vancouver Lymphadenopathy-AIDS Study: 3. Relation of HTLV-III seropositivity, immune status and lymphadenopathy.

In a study of 394 homosexual men recruited at the primary care level the prevalence of antibody to human T-lymphotropic retrovirus (HTLV-III) was higher among those with lymph node enlargement than among controls. The degree of abnormal immune function, as shown by abnormalities in immunoglobulin levels, immune complex activity and T-lymphocyte subsets, was correlated with the extent of lymphadenopathy. A similar pattern of immunologic abnormality was associated with seropositivity for HTLV-III antibody. However, HTLV-III seropositivity was the major determinant of immune function after adjustment for lymph node status. The results suggest that the immune dysfunction seen in patients with lymphadenopathy is due for the most part to the high prevalence of HTLV-III seropositivity in these populations. Lymphadenopathy, in many subjects, may in fact represent a physical sign of a stabilized compensated homeostatic host response. Factors responsible for severe immune decompensation associated with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) may best be sought by prospective study of HTLV-III seropositive asymptomatic patients or those with stable persistent generalized lymphadenopathy and relatively normal immune function.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

The Vancouver Lymphadenopathy-AIDS Study: 2. Seroepidemiology of HTLV-III antibody.

Testing for antibody to human T-lymphotropic retrovirus (HTLV-III) was carried out in 448 participants in the Vancouver Lymphadenopathy-AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) Study. The overall prevalence rate of seropositivity was 34%. Of 130 seronegative subjects followed for an average of 8.5 months, 14 became seropositive; thus, the approximate annual seroconversion rate was 15%. More than 100 male sexual partners in one's lifetime, frequent receptive anal intercourse, fisting, a history of gonorrhea or hepatitis, and frequent sexual contact in clubs were found to be independent risk factors for HTLV-III seropositivity.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

The Vancouver Lymphadenopathy-AIDS Study: 1. Persistent generalized lymphadenopathy.

The Vancouver Lymphadenopathy-AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) Study is an ongoing prospective study of over 700 homosexual men attending six primary care practices in central Vancouver. A case-control study of risk factors for persistent generalized lymphadenopathy in homosexual men was conducted in five of the practices. The participants completed a questionnaire and underwent a complete physical examination at the time of enrollment and at a subsequent visit not less than 3 months later, and laboratory tests were performed after both visits. Persistent generalized lymphadenopathy was defined as the presence of lymph nodes greater than 1 cm in diameter at two or more extrainguinal sites for more than 3 months. Of the 519 patients who had completed both visits by February 1984, 126 (24%) were found to have the disease, and two controls without lymphadenopathy were frequency-matched on the basis of age and practice to each subject. More than 100 male sexual partners during one's lifetime, frequent receptive anal intercourse, a history of gonorrhea, use of illicit drugs and sexual contact in Los Angeles were identified as independent risk factors for persistent generalized lymphadenopathy. The similarity of these risk factors to those established for AIDS supports the hypothesis of a common etiology for the two diseases, and the high prevalence rate of persistent generalized lymphadenopathy further supports the hypothesis that AIDS is an uncommon response to a relatively common agent.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Evaluation of natural killer cell activity in patients with persistent generalized lymphadenopathy and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Natural killer (NK) cell activity was quantitated using 51Cr release from the human erythroleukemia cell line K562 in 39 heterosexual males, 60 asymptomatic homosexuals, 39 patients with persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL), and 16 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). PGL and AIDS patients showed a slight decrease in NK cell activity compared to control groups. Absolute numbers of Leu 11a-positive cells were decreased in PGL and AIDS patients, and this decrease correlated with a decrease in absolute number of both the T4+ and T8+ cell subsets. Autologous plasma inhibited NK cell activity in 48% of asymptomatic homosexuals, 63% of PGL patients, and 63% of AIDS patients, but in none of the heterosexual controls. NK cell responses in fetal calf serum, normal human plasma, or autologous plasma showed no correlation with absolute numbers of T4+ cells, or with T4/T8 ratio. We conclude that NK cell responses are not of prime importance in the pathogenesis of PGL and AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Diagnostic value of bone marrow examination in isolated thrombocytopenia.

Bone marrow examination often is performed to assess isolated thrombocytopenia. A three-year retrospective study demonstrates that bone marrow aspiration in isolated thrombocytopenia predictably shows megakaryocytic thrombocytopenia. Little additional information is obtained by bone marrow examination that cannot be determined by noninvasive tests. In this series, the Jamshidi biopsy did not add significant information to that obtained from the aspirate. The authors conclude that bone marrow examination is not necessary in patients with isolated thrombocytopenia. In acute care hospital patients, the cause of the thrombocytopenia usually is apparent from the clinical history, and bone marrow examination is necessary infrequently.

Adolescent↗

Transient leucopenia associated with adult respiratory distress syndrome.

The hypothesis that a change in white blood cell (WBC) count might be a useful predictor of the onset of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) was tested by monitoring total and differential WBC count in 40 patients at high risk of ARDS. ARDS developed in 10 patients and in 8 of these the systemic leucocyte count fell to less than 4200 cells/microliter. The other 2 patients showed a fall from 25 400 and 15 000 cells/microliter to 4500 and 6000 cells/microliter, respectively. Only 4 of the 30 patients in whom ARDS did not develop showed a fall to less than 4200 cells/microliter. The acute fall in WBC that was associated with the onset of severe respiratory failure indicates that frequent measurement of the leucocyte count in high-risk patients may be useful in identifying those in whom ARDS will develop.

Adult↗

Functional hyposplenism, a diagnostic clue in amyloidosis. Report of six cases.

Six cases of functional hyposplenism associated with amyloidosis are presented. This association has been infrequently reported. Typical erythrocytic changes were found at initial presentation in five patients, and provided an early clue to the correct diagnosis. Extensive amyloid effacement of the splenic cords was the anatomic basis of the functional hyposplenism. Comments are made on the etiology and infective consequences of adult-acquired functional hyposplenism. A more sensitive method of screening peripheral blood for changes of functional hyposplenism is discussed.

Aged↗

A case of eosinophilic pneumonia. Unusual immune complex vasculitis in the skin.

This report concerns a 28-year-old woman with biopsy-proved eosinophilic pneumonia and cutaneous vasculitis. The skin biopsy specimen contained prominent granular deposits of IgM and C3 in dermal vessels, and elevated circulating immune complexes were detected. The association of cutaneous immune complex vasculitis with circulating immune complexes in chronic eosinophilic pneumonia is unusual and to our knowledge has not been previously reported. While the pathogenesis of chronic eosinophilic pneumonia is unknown, circulating immune complexes may represent a mechanism in the development of tissue eosinophilia.

Adult↗

Corynebacterium diphtheriae septicemia.

This report describes the case of a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in whom septicemia caused by a nontoxigenic strain of Corynebacterium diphtheriae developed. Numerous abscesses were present in sections of liver and spleen taken at autopsy. The case is discussed, and the literature on infections caused by organisms of the genus Corynebacterium is briefly reviewed.

Diphtheria↗

Cutaneous infections due to Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

Toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae was grown from skin lesions of 44 indigent patients seen at the emergency or out-patient departments of this hospital, 43 of them within the last 16 months of the study period. In all cases staphylococci or hemolytic streptococci were also present in the wounds. An increase in the incidence of clinical diphtheria occurred in the few months preceding and overlapping the period of recognition of the cutaneous infections. The gravis strains, which accounted for the majority of the infections, were sensitive to erythromycin and to penicillin, but were relatively resistant to cloxacillin.

Adult↗