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Biomedical subjects

A Gillissen

Publications and source records attributed to A Gillissen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

[Asthma, alveolitis, aspergillosis, berylliosis. What to do when there is allergic reaction of the lung?].

Among the major allergic pulmonary disorders are bronchial asthma, extrinsic allergic alveolitis, allergic aspergillosis and berylliosis. Asthma is diagnosed on the basis of clinical symptoms (wheezing, respiratory distress, tight chest, coughing) and lung function tests possibly supplemented by allergic and provocative testing. Asthma treatment is differentiated into long-term medication and as-required medication. Specific immunotherapy is considered the sole causal therapy. Extrinsic allergic alveolitis is work- or hobby-related (farmer's/cheese worker's/bird-fancier's lung) and manifests as diffuse pneumonitis with dyspnea, coughing and fever. For the diagnosis, the antigen provocative test in particular plays a major role. In the main, treatment comprises strict avoidance of allergens. The diagnosis of allergic pulmonary aspergillosis is based on the history, clinical findings, skin tests, serology and radiography. Treatment is stage-related by means of immunosuppressive agents. In terms of radiographic and pulmonary function findings, berylliosis is similar to sarcoidosis. Here, too, immunosuppressive agents are to the fore.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed2003

Resistant Haemophilus influenzae in community-acquired respiratory tract infections: a role for cefixime.

An increase in Haemophilus influenzae resistance has been documented around the world during the last 30 years. Resistance is due to the production of beta-lactamases, and/or changes to penicillin-binding protein (PBP) targets. The resistance problem has led to the need for new therapeutic strategies aimed at maintaining effective management of both upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) and lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs). Among antimicrobial agents tested, third-generation cephalosporins have been shown to possess excellent in vitro activity against beta-lactamase-positive and -negative isolates, corresponding with proven clinical efficacy in a wide range of RTIs. The role of H. influenzae in RTIs is outlined, changing trends in epidemiological surveillance studies monitored and implications for therapy, based upon results of clinical trials discussed.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2003

Anti-inflammatory activity of 1.8-cineol (eucalyptol) in bronchial asthma: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

Airway hypersecretion is mediated by increased release of inflammatory mediators and can be improved by inhibition of mediator production. We have recently reported that 1.8-cineol (eucalyptol) which is known as the major monoterpene of eucalyptus oil suppressed arachidonic acid metabolism and cytokine production in human monocytes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory efficacy of 1.8-cineol by determining its prednisolone equivalent potency in patients with severe asthma. Thirty-two patients with steroid-dependent bronchial asthma were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. After determining the effective oral steroid dosage during a 2 month run-in phase, subjects were randomly allocated to receive either 200 mg 1.8-cineol t. i.d. or placebo in small gut soluble capsules for 12 weeks. Oral glucocorticosteroids were reduced by 2.5 mg increments every 3 weeks. The primary end point of this investigation was to establish the oral glucocorticosteroid-sparing capacity of 1.8-cineol in severe asthma. Reductions in daily prednisolone dosage of 36% with active treatment (range 2.5-10 mg, mean: 3.75 mg) vs. a decrease of only 7% (2.5-5 mg, mean: 0.91 mg) in the placebo group (P = 0.006) were tolerated. Twelve of 16 cineol vs. four out of 16 placebo patients achieved a reduction of oral steroids (P = 0.012). Long-term systemic therapy with 1.8-cineol has asignificant steroid-saving effect in steroid-depending asthma. This is the first evidence suggesting an anti-inflammatory activity of the monoterpene 1.8-cineol in asthma and a new rational for its use as mucolytic agent in upper and lower airway diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Fine needle aspiration cytology as diagnostic bed-side method for differential diagnostics of enlarged peripheral lymph nodes].

Enlarged lymph nodes are a common diagnosis in clinical practice. The causes are varied and both benign or malignant processes might be responsible. Clearly it is important to quickly discern whether the origin is malignant or benign. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and efficacy of aspiration cytology of enlarged lymph nodes. 398 patients with peripheral enlarged lymph nodes, who, in the course of a five-year period, were subjected to at least one immediate cytologic analysis (bed-side-analysis), were included in the study. For comparison the gold standard was defined as either the histological result of a corresponding biopsy or the clinical outcome within an observation period of one year. Cytology analysis reached a sensitivity of 97.6% and a specificity of 96.0% of all lymph nodes analysed. For metastatic lymph nodes of solid neoplasmas (mainly bronchial carcinoma) sensitivity was even 98.7% (90.6% for malignant lymphomas). In conclusion, fine needle lymph node aspiration cytology is a quick, reliable, technically simple method for further assessment of enlarged lymph nodes in order to distinguish between benign and malignant causes. Further differentiation of the underlying type of malignant origin can be achieved with high efficacy. Thus, in the hands of a qualified investigator, fine needle lymph node aspiration cytology is a suitable method for use on a bed-side basis.

Biopsy↗
PubMed2003

Respiratory viruses in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease requiring hospitalisation: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AE-COPD) are a common cause of hospital admission. Many exacerbations are believed to be due to upper and/or lower respiratory tract viral infections, but the incidence of these infections in patients with COPD is still undetermined. METHODS: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza A and B, parainfluenza 3, and picornaviruses were detected by nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in upper (nasal lavage) and lower respiratory tract specimens (induced sputum). In a 2:1 case-control set up, 85 hospitalised patients with AE-COPD and 42 patients with stable COPD admitted for other medical reasons were studied. RESULTS: Respiratory viruses were found more often in sputum and nasal lavage of patients with AE-COPD (48/85, 56%) than in patients with stable COPD (8/42, 19%, p<0.01). The most common viruses were picornaviruses (21/59, 36%), influenza A (15/59, 25%), and RSV (13/59, 22%). When specimens were analysed separately, this difference was seen in induced sputum (exacerbation 40/85 (47%) v stable 4/42 (10%), p<0.01) but was not significant in nasal lavage (exacerbation 26/85 (31%) v stable 7/42 (17%), p=0.14). In patients with AE-COPD, fever was more frequent in those in whom viruses were detected (12/48, 25%) than in those in whom viruses were not detected (2/37, 5%, p=0.03). CONCLUSION: Viral respiratory pathogens are found more often in respiratory specimens of hospitalised patients with AE-COPD than in control patients. Induced sputum detects respiratory viruses more frequently than nasal lavage in these patients. These data indicate that nasal lavage probably has no additional diagnostic value to induced sputum in cross-sectional studies on hospitalised patients with AE-COPD and that the role of viral infection in these patients is still underestimated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

[Dyspnea, alopecia areata, protrusio bulbi. Which systemic disease is responsible?].

Sarcoidosis is a systemic disease of unknown etiology and highly variable clinical presentation that manifests most frequently in the hilus lymph nodes, skin and eyes. The present case is a 63-year-old woman who was admitted for investigation of progressive apnea. Numerous typical, but also rare, organic symptoms were assignable to a chronic form of sarcoidosis: epileptiform attacks and depression, as also cutaneous changes affecting the scalp, and long wrongly diagnosed granulomatous "tumour" in the left orbit. The correct diagnosis was established on the basis of bronchoscopy and a chest CT that revealed inflammatory fibrotic changes in the lungs, and the histological work-up of tissue biopsies obtained from the various cutaneous lesions.

Alopecia Areata↗
PubMed2002

[Pulmonary and pleural metastasis of a malignant granular cell tumor].

HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: A 72-year-old woman, who suffered from increasing dyspnea and productive cough was admitted to hospital. Clinical examination revealed a reduced respiratory sounds over the left lung and a painless and unmovable tumor in the area of the left hip. CLINICAL AND LABORATORY TESTS: Apart from hypoxemia (pO2 7.81 kPa) the laboratory values did not indicate any pathological findings. The X-ray and CT-scan of the chest showed a few spotty shadows and pleura effusion on the left. No tumor cells were detected in the pleural effusion. In biopsies of the visceral and parietal pleura as well as biopsy within the tumor in the area of the left hip there were clusters of tumor cells of a granular cell tumor. DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND CLINICAL COURSE: Because the same tumor cell type was detected in the visceral and parietal pleura and wihtin the tumor at the left gluteus area, we diagnosed a malignant granular cell tumor. The CT-scan was suspicious of lung metastasis. The primary tumor was located in the area of left hip. The patient was in a poor general condition and she suffered from an extensive metastastic disease; curative treatment was not possible. A pleurodesis was performed. The patient died nine months after initial diagnosis. CONCLUSION: A rare malignant granular cell tumor was discovered by detecting tumor tissue of granular cell tumor in the pleura and within a tumor in the left gluteus area. Another indication of a metastatic disease were multifocal lesions in the lung detected by CT-scan. Curative treatment was not possible.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

[Spirometry, pulse oximetry, brochospasmolytic test. The pillars of COPD diagnosis].

In addition to case history and clinical examination, the basic diagnostic work-up of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease comprises in particular lung function testing by means of spirometry. In the event of an uncertain diagnosis, or in a search for underlying causes, an additional EKG, chest X-ray and bronchospasmolytic testing to determine the reversibility of the airways obstruction are employed. In COPD patients younger than 50, as well as in those with pulmonary edema largely confined to the basal fields, determination of the alpha-1-antitrypsin should be carried out. In the case of an exacerbation of the clinical presentation, the sputum should be cultured to determine the possible presence of pathogenic bacteria. Recurrent exacerbations or a rapid worsening of dyspnea necessitate hospitalization.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
PubMed2002

[Inhaled steroids in COPD. Do they modify the disease?].

The use of inhaled steroids in the treatment of chronic obstructive lung disease is controversial. It is becoming ever more clear that a differentiated approach to treatment determined by the clinical presentation and the specific cell profile is needed. More inflammation, poorer lung function and more frequent exacerbation benefit from steroids, while early stages of the disease with few symptoms, and patients with predominance of emphysema but little bronchitis are unlikely to benefit from this form of treatment. Particular attention must be paid to mixed types with an asthma-like component. While the combination of long-acting beta-mimetic drugs and inhalative steroids might appear to be of benefit, the outcome of currently ongoing studies must be awaited.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed2001

[Synergistic effects of combined therapy of inhalational glucocorticosteroids with long-acting beta 2-receptor agonists in treatment of bronchial asthma].

BACKGROUND: Due to the potent anti-inflammatory strength, glucocorticosteroids are the basis of long-term (controller) therapy in asthma. They inhibit transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines and block humoral as well as cellular derived inflammation in the bronchi. beta 2 sympathomimetics are well known to cause dilatation of the bronchi but also to modulate certain anti-inflammatory responses. SYNERGISM: Just recently it could be demonstrated that beta 2 agonists may also be able to activate glucocorticosteroid receptors, independently of existing glucocorticosteroids. Thus, beta 2 agonists lead to augmentation of glucocorticosteroid receptor concentration, and consequently cause better efficacy of glucocorticosteroids within the cell. Vice versa glucocorticosteroids enhance the transcription rate of beta 2 receptors, causing higher beta 2 receptor number, and thus may contribute to better beta 2 agonist efficacy. These synergies of beta 2 agonists and glucocorticosteroids on molecular level explain additive efficiency in the therapy of asthma--particularly through improving lung function--when using both substances in combination.

Administration, Inhalation↗