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A Gormaz

Publications and source records attributed to A Gormaz.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

[Subcortical dementia in HTLV-I tropical spastic paraparesis. Study of 43 cases].

BACKGROUND: Central nervous system damage associated to HTLV-I does not limit itself to the spinal cord, but also involves subcortical structures, producing cognitive impairment and behavioral changes which eventually could conform a new form of subcortical dementia. AIM: To study cognitive changes in patients with HTLV-I associated myelopathy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty three patients (31 female) with Tropical Spastic Paraparesis, aged 52 years old as a mean and with a disease lasting a mean of 7.5 years, were studied. The diagnosis was based on clinical, radiological and neurophysiological changes. The virus was identified with ELISA, indirect immunofluorescence, Western Blot or proviral DNA identification. Cognitive assessment was done using the Wechler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) and Benton Visual Retention Test (form D). Patients were grouped according to their motor disability in; 23 patients with independent spastic gait, 11 patients that needed support to walk and 9 patients unable to walk. RESULTS: WAIS test demonstrated cognitive impairment with special deficit in some subtests such as Digit Span, Digit Symbol, Picture Arrangement and Object Assembly. Benton Test also disclosed cognitive impairment. There was a positive relationship between cognitive and motor performance. CONCLUSIONS: At least 50% of patients with Tropical Spastic Paraparesis have certain degree of intellectual and affective impairment.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[New form of subcortical dementia: encephalopathy due to infection with human lymphotropic T virus (HTLV-1). Clinical case].

We report a 45 years old female with a HTLV-I associated myelopathy, followed up for 10 years who, five years ago, developed personality changes and intellectual deterioration, assessed with the Wais-Benton test. She also had alterations in the electroencephalogram and a nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed hypodensity in T1 and hyperdensity in T2 subcortical regions. The progression of intellectual impairment was related to an increase in proviral DNA, assessed with polymerase chain reaction.

Dementia↗
PubMed1992

Progressive spastic paraparesis associated with human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I).

Patients with progressive spastic paraparesis (PSP), commonly middle-aged women, are distributed throughout the country of Chile. During the three years from 1987 to 1990, we collected 83 cases of PSP from among 225 patients with various neurological diseases. The clinical picture was of a bilateral pyramidal syndrome, with sensory deficits in only 15.5% of the cases, and a slow illness progression in the majority of them. In patients with PSP, antibody to human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) was analyzed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and confirmed by western blot analysis. Forty-five (54.2%) patients were anti-HTLV-I antibody positive in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and peripheral blood. Among them, 2 patients had leukemia/lymphoma and one had Sjögren syndrome. In the laboratory study of seropositive PSP, mononuclear pleocytosis was found in 35.7%; there was an abnormal increase of the IgG index in 66.6% and an increase in CD2 in blood and CSF, and CD4 in blood. A delayed latency of somatosensory evoked potentials was observed in 90.9%. The neuropsychological study revealed a WAIS with a mean verbal IQ of 80.7 and a mean performance IQ of 84.8. The most impaired items were digit symbol and digit span. Seven subjects (18.9%) with anti-HTLV-I antibody were found among 37 relatives from 19 anti-HTLV-I positive cases of PSP.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Experience of the National Autonomous Board for Certification of Medical Specialties].

After 6 years of operation of a National (autonomous) Board for Certification of Medical Specialists, the number, distribution and training of medical specialists is analyzed. Problems regarding significant differences in the quality of training and imbalance among different specialties are identified. The medical profession has expressed its confidence and feels supported by the activities of the Board. However, health care deliverers and users in general are expected to increase their support and consideration for the information provided by the Board, in order to fulfill the purpose for which it was established.

Chile↗