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Biomedical subjects

A R Katz

Publications and source records attributed to A R Katz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Assessment of the clinical presentation and treatment of 353 cases of laboratory-confirmed leptospirosis in Hawaii, 1974-1998.

Leptospirosis is frequently misdiagnosed as a result of its protean and nonspecific presentation. Leptospirosis, a zoonosis with global distribution, commonly occurs in tropical and subtropical regions; most reported cases in the United States occur in Hawaii. All laboratory-confirmed leptospirosis cases in the State of Hawaii from 1974 through 1998 (n=353) were clinically evaluated. The most common presentation involved nonspecific signs or symptoms, including fever, myalgia, and headache. Jaundice occurred in 39% of cases; conjunctival suffusion was described in 28% of these cases. Initiation of antibiotics before the seventh day of symptoms was associated with a significantly shortened duration of illness. Because early recognition and initiation of antibiotic therapy are important, clinicians should familiarize themselves with the clinical presentation of leptospirosis, and when evaluating a patient with a febrile illness, they should obtain exposure and travel histories and entertain the possibility of leptospirosis in the differential diagnosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Obstetrical and neonatal outcome in pregnancies after liver transplantation.

The obstetrical and neonatal courses in pregnancies following orthotopic liver transplantation were studied. Maternal and neonatal records were reviewed from six patients (eight pregnancies), cared for by a single practitioner, who had undergone orthotopic liver transplantation prior to pregnancy between 1984 and 1999. Demographic data, reason for transplantation, interval from transplantation to pregnancy, immunosuppressive agents, antepartum complications, and maternal and neonatal outcomes were reviewed. Many reasons for transplantation were noted, and no acute graft rejection occurred. Maternal complications noted were mild renal insufficiency, chronic hypertension, pregestational diabetes, and erythema nodosum. Antepartum complications included oligohydramnios, preterm labor, premature rupture of membranes, severe preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, multiple congenital anomalies, and intra-amniotic infection. There was one miscarriage at 8 weeks, one previable and one periviable delivery, and the remainder delivered after 34 weeks. In our cohort of patients, once fetal viability was achieved, patients with a prior liver transplant had reasonable maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Acute fatty liver in the second trimester.

BACKGROUND: Acute fatty liver of pregnancy is a rare, potentially fatal disease that occurs in the late third trimester or early postpartum period. The case of a woman with acute fatty liver in the second trimester is presented. CASE: A 35-year-old woman, gravida 5, para 4, presented at 22 weeks' gestation with nausea, vomiting, malaise, weight loss, and moderately elevated liver transaminase levels. The differential diagnoses included viral gastroenteritis and cholelithiasis. During the next 12 days, her transaminase levels increased, jaundice developed, her sensorium changed, and coagulopathy appeared. After the patient was transferred to a tertiary care hospital, acute fatty liver of pregnancy was diagnosed. The woman rapidly improved after delivery. CONCLUSION: Although acute fatty liver of pregnancy usually occurs in the late third trimester or early postpartum period, it can occur in the second trimester.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

Leptospirosis on Oahu: an outbreak among military personnel associated with recreational exposure.

In December 1992, a common-source waterborne outbreak of leptospirosis occurred on the island of Oahu in the state of Hawaii. Two male service persons were hospitalized with culture-confirmed leptospirosis. Eighteen others had similar histories of exposure to the same freshwater swimming site. Although six men developed signs and symptoms comparable to those of the two confirmed cases, none manifested culture or serologic evidence of leptospirosis. The increased incidence of leptospirosis in Hawaii coupled with an increased risk in young males characterize the military population in Hawaii as a high-risk population with respect to leptospirosis.

Disease Outbreaks↗
PubMed1995

Prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus in Hawaii: is there a difference between ethnic groups?

This population-based study in Hawaii collected cases of systemic lupus erythematosus from medical facilities and a patient support group. A total of 454 cases was found and the prevalence was estimated at 41.8 per 100,000 population for 1989. The prevalence odds ratio for all non-Caucasians compared to Caucasians was 1.2 (0.9-1.5), for Japanese 1.3 (1.0-1.7), for Filipinos 1.5 (1.1-2.0), for Chinese 2.4 (1.7-3.4), and for Hawaiians 0.8 (0.6-1.1). Mortality rates were 3 times higher for non-Caucasians than for Caucasians in 1985 to 1989. Despite the observed differences, it remains unclear whether individuals with Asian or Pacific Islander ancestry are at higher risk for systemic lupus erythematosus. The variation in prevalence rates may be a result of differences in access to medical care and in survival.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Ciguatera on Kauai: investigation of factors associated with severity of illness.

Epidemiologic characterization of ciguatera fish poisoning has been limited by lack of laboratory confirmation, absence of prospective follow-up, and incomplete analysis of age-related factors. A 1985 outbreak on the island of Kauai in the state of Hawaii that involved 15 persons of various ages was investigated to determine factors associated with disease severity. The presence of ciguatoxin was detected in leftover portions of the implicated fish by enzyme immunoassay. All cases were medically and epidemiologically investigated and followed prospectively. Ten of the 15 cases demonstrated bradycardia; seven were hospitalized, including two requiring placement in intensive care. Bradycardia was associated with increasing age and body weight (P < 0.01 and < 0.05, respectively) as well as the amount of toxic fish consumed (P < 0.01). Duration of illness ranged from two to 132 days. Increasing duration of illness was correlated with both increasing age and weight (rs = 0.64 and rs = 0.72, respectively, both P < 0.01) and was independent of amount and components of toxic fish consumed. The correlation between increasing age and weight with duration and severity of symptoms may be explained by prior subclinical toxin exposure and is consistent with the observation that repeated ciguatoxin exposures are associated with more severe illness. The association between amount of toxic fish consumed and bradycardia is consistent with an increased dose of ciguatoxin. The findings of this outbreak investigation support previously unconfirmed observations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Severe streptococcal infections in historical perspective.

The recent unexplained increase in severe streptococcal diseases in the United States and Great Britain is compared to the 1825-1885 pandemic of fatal scarlet fever. Although scarlet fever may not be representative of all severe streptococcal disease, it was the only one reliably identified in the 19th century. The epidemiology of scarlet fever during the 19th century pandemic suggests the following features of the disease; cocirculation of both virulent and less-virulent streptococcal strains eliciting cross-immunity; circulation of hyperendemic prevalent strains in urban centers of developed nations, with periodic spillovers to rural areas and developing nations; and protection of infants from infection (but not from fatal disease once infection occurred) by the transfer of maternal antibodies via the placenta, breast milk, or both. The 19th century data suggest that efforts to prevent severe streptococcal diseases should begin with better characterization of the epidemiology of streptococcal disease, a task entailing identification of streptococcal virulence factors and measurement of their distribution among isolates from individuals with streptococcal diseases and in open populations.

Global Health↗
PubMed1992

An absorbable catheter system for use in microvascular and peripheral vascular surgery: an experimental study in the canine.

An absorbable catheter for use in regional anticoagulation in microvascular and peripheral vascular surgery was studied in 20 sites in 10 adult beagle dogs to answer three questions: (1) Could the polyglycolic acid and trimethylene carbonate catheter withstand intraarterial pressures of infusion and completely absorb over a predictable time interval? (2) Could the catheter be filled with heparin and maintain patency for reuse after a 24-hour interval? (3) Could the catheter be placed in a side branch of a major artery and, after catheter dissolution, maintain long-term patency of the primary feeding artery? The catheters were completely absorbed from 24 to 34 weeks following implantation. The catheters were able to withstand intraarterial pressures, and no evidence of significant thrombosis of the primary feeding artery was seen in any animal studied. No complications of catheter leak, hematoma formation within the catheter placement sites, or sepsis were noted in any of the 20 catheter sites studied.

Absorption↗
PubMed1991

The "fourth disease" of childhood: reevaluation of a nonexistent disease.

Observed and described between 1884 and 1900, "fourth disease" (Dukes disease) followed measles, scarlet fever, and rubella as the fourth clinically characterized childhood exanthem. Like rubella ("third disease") and erythema infectiosum ("fifth disease"), accepted by the medical community at about the same time, the existence of fourth disease was initially controversial. Over the following decades descriptions of hundreds of cases, outbreaks, and laboratory studies were published in the indexed medical literature. Unlike rubella and fifth disease, however, fourth disease was not subsequently proven to exist by either epidemiologic criteria or isolation of an etiologic agent. By the 1930s, it was infrequently recognized and by the 1960s had been dropped from textbooks. In this study, the authors use epidemiologic methods to reevaluate published data on English schoolchildren from 1892 to 1900 upon which the original fourth disease claim of Dukes was based. The authors conclude that fourth disease never existed. Reinterpretation of the original data suggests that cases can be completely explained as misdiagnosed rubella and scarlet fever. Misidentification of fourth disease is attributed to failures in the critical abilities of the medical and scientific communities at the time. The implications of erroneously identifying a nonexistent disease suggest that modern scientific approaches to disease identification are sound.

Child↗
PubMed1991

Leptospirosis on Kauai: investigation of a common source waterborne outbreak.

During the summer of 1987, a common source waterborne outbreak of leptospirosis occurred on the island of Kauai in the state of Hawaii. Eight leptospirosis cases were identified using the microscopic agglutination test. Methodologic weaknesses in this technique were responsible for the initial missed diagnosis on six of the eight cases. All cases had repeated exposure to the Waimea River. A wide array of animal reservoirs and optimal water conditions may have been factors in this outbreak.

Abortion, Veterinary↗
PubMed1991

Salmonella egg survey in Hawaii: evidence for routine bacterial surveillance.

One hundred and six dozen eggs, representing 12 brands, were purchased from Oahu supermarkets and cultured for Salmonella using standard FDA (Food and Drug Administration) microbiological techniques. Two enrichment incubation temperatures were used to improve culture sensitivity. Ten cartons (9.4 percent) of the 106 dozen samples had shells positive for Salmonella. Seven of the 10 were traced to a single egg processor. Inspection of the facility led to the discovery of malfunctioning equipment used in the egg washing and sanitation process.

Eggs↗
PubMed1990

Massive labial edema in pregnancy.

We have presented two cases of massive labial edema in pregnant women. The differential diagnosis included infectious diseases, neoplasms, congenital anomalies, trauma, inflammatory conditions, and metabolic disorders. Appropriate tests in the evaluation of this condition were discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

The Hawaii Chlamydia Network Project: a successful program incorporating close intra-agency cooperation.

The Hawaii State Department of Health's Chlamydia Network Project screened 272 asymptomatic females for chlamydia; 20 (7.4 per cent) were found to be positive. When interviewed, 75 per cent (15/20) of the cases gave information such that their sexual partner(s) could be located. Ninety per cent (14/16) of the locatable partners were brought to examination within seven days. Keys to success were the training of family planning clinic staff in STD (sexually transmitted disease) control methods, and close intra-agency cooperation.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Chlamydia trachomatis: a frequently overlooked public health menace.

Genital Chlamydia trachomatis infections affect 3-4 million Americans each year and are considered to be the most prevalent of all sexually transmitted diseases in the United States. Complications arising from chlamydial infections include scarring of the fallopian tubes, leading to ectopic pregnancy and infertility. Because a significant proportion of chlamydial infections are asymptomatic, this disease is frequently overlooked. Recent developments in low cost, rapid, antigen-detection assays have made widescale screening programs possible. This article reviews clinical and epidemiological aspects of chlamydial infections and discusses control strategies.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Bernard-Soulier syndrome complicating pregnancy: a case report.

The pregnancy of a patient with Bernard-Soulier syndrome is described. Coagulation abnormalities were encountered, as well as isoimmunization from previous transfusions. Immune suppression was achieved with steroids and intravenous gamma globulin, and plasmapheresis was performed to allow platelet transfusion.

Adult↗