Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to C A Sousa.
The authors report two clinical cases of systemic lupus erythematosus, both in patients over 65 years of age. The discussion includes a brief overview of recent publications on this condition in geriatric patients. Some aspects of systemic lupus in elderly persons are suggested and commented on.
Primitive splenic tumors are extremely rare. We report a case, the first at S. José-Hospitais Civis de Lisboa, of a 70 year old woman who presented splenomegaly. She had pelvic irradiation in her past history. MRI revealed a splenic mass characterized as vascular on angiography. She is doing well 12 months after splenectomy. We have found 61 reported cases of this rare tumor whose etiopathogeny is unknown. Early splenectomy should be the first therapeutical approach, since spontaneous rupture is very common and was the feature presented in 34% of patients in the series by Autry et al. As far as cytostatic chemotherapy is concerned, the rarity of this tumor precludes any conclusion about its efficacy, but in metastasized forms it seems that chemotherapy for soft tissue sarcomas may be effective.
Advantages of IDST for diagnosis of atopy and selection of antigens for hyposensitization include the following: 1. The test is widely accepted by clients. 2. The clinician can select individual test allergens based on the patient history and geographic location. 3. It has been the standard for diagnosing atopy in the dog for more than 40 years. Disadvantages of IDST include the following: 1. The test should be performed on a regular basis to maintain reliability. 2. Interpretation of test results is subjective. 3. The test is not standardized on the basis of the examiner, source of the allergen, or reproducibility. 4. There is occasional difficulty in performing the test (e.g., need for sedation). 5. Anaphylaxis is a potential risk. 6. A significant amount of office time is needed to perform the test. 7. Condition of the patient's skin (e.g., lichenification, hyperpigmentation, pyoderma) may preclude its use. 8. There is a possibility of failure to test for appropriate allergens. 9. There may be false-positive and false-negative reactions. 10. Other medications can interfere with the test (e.g., antihistamines, corticosteroids). Advantages of in vitro testing for diagnosis of atopy and selecting antigens for hyposensitization include the following.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The records of 13 dogs with a crusting dermatosis of the mucocutaneous junctions, pressure points, and trunk were evaluated. All of the dogs had been fed corn- and wheat-based commercial dry dog foods that failed to meet the National Research Council's recommendations for balanced nutrition. The dermatosis in all 13 dogs resolved completely after the diet was changed to one that met the National Research Council's recommendations. The disease was similar to that which has previously been called canine dry pyoderma, but is now known to be a zinc-responsive dermatosis.
The article considers the pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis, and treatment of atopic dermatitis.
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In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, dogs with chronic recurrent pyoderma were treated with antibiotics plus intravenous injections of either Propionibacterium acnes or placebo. Responses (an increase, decrease, or clearing of lesions) were measured and evaluated statistically. Eighty percent (12 of 15) of the dogs treated with antibiotics and P acnes compared with 38% (five of 13) of the dogs treated with antibiotics and placebo responded with significant improvement or complete remission of lesions at the end of the 12-week treatment schedule (P less than 0.05).