PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C Jantos

Publications and source records attributed to C Jantos.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Chlamydia pneumoniae infection is not an independent risk factor for arterial disease.

Appreciation of atherosclerosis as an infectious disease has fostered interest in the role that Chlamydia pneumoniae may play in atheroma development. Although data from seroepidemiological and experimental studies have established an association between the pathogen and atherosclerosis, little is known about how the organism contributes to lesion development. Atherosclerosis is a complex disease process and the role of any pathogen must be considered in the context of other risk factors. Here we focus on the relationship between Chlamydia pneumoniae and conventional risk factors for atherosclerosis. There is evidence for a strong association between chronic infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae and smoking as well as high serum cholesterol. It is concluded from the present data that chronic infection with the pathogen is not an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis.

Animals↗

[Urethro-adnexitis in the man and acute urethral syndrome in the woman. Microbiological and immunologic studies of etiologic classification].

Both common pathogens and unconventional, fastidious bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi are causative agents in male urethro-adnexitis and in female acute urethral syndrome. Uropathogens, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Treponema pallidum, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma spp., Haemophilus ducreyi, Calymmatobacterium granulomatis, Gardnerella vaginalis, anaerobic bacteria, Herpes simplex virus type II (HSV II), papillomaviruses (HPV), Trichomonas vaginalis and Candida spp. must be considered. The various diagnostic procedures and criteria applied for aetiological classification in cases of balanitis, urethritis, prostatitis, epididymitis, orchitis, and acute urethral syndrome are reviewed and evaluated.

Acute Disease↗

Acute lower respiratory tract infection associated with Chlamydia pneumoniae in Germany.

Serum specimens from 223 patients with acute lower respiratory tract infection were examined for antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae using the microimmunofluorescence test. Antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae were detected in 18 (20%) of 91 children and 64 (48%) of 132 adults. Among those individuals, 4 (4%) children and 15 (11%) adults had elevated IgG antibody titres indicating acute or recent infection. Specific IgM antibodies were observed in two patients. These results suggest that a significant proportion of lower respiratory tract infections in Germany is caused by Chlamydia pneumoniae.

Acute Disease↗

Immuno-competent cells in the murine epididymis following infection with Escherichia coli.

Epididymitis was induced by retrograde injection of Escherichia coli into the vas deferens of 28 mice. A group of 28 saline-injected animals served as controls. On Days 1, 3, 7 and 28, groups of seven animals were killed. Bacterial culture was performed. Leucocyte numbers and distribution were determined in epididymides. In infected mice, E. coli were isolated from all epididymides on Days 1 and 3, but only from five of seven epididymides on Days 7 and 28. One week after infection, the total number of macrophages rose from about 10 to 28%. Significantly increased macrophage percentages were also found in animals killed 28 days after infection. A simultaneous increase in MHC class II positive cells was seen on Day 7. A total of 20% of the cells expressed MHC class II in infected epididymides (normal = 6%). A similar increase was found on Day 28 after infection. Most of the macrophages and MHC class II positive cells were located in the interstitium, fewer in the peritubular layer and nearly none in the epithelium. The main increase in these cells occurred in the interstitium and, to a lesser but significant extent, in the peritubular area. T-helper and T-suppressor/cytotoxic lymphocytes reached peak values on Day 28. The increase in T-lymphocytes and simultaneous appearance of plasma cells followed the increase in numbers of macrophages and MHC class II positive cells. They were located mainly in the interstitium. A sequential increase in leucocyte subsets and negative culture results for E. coli were observed on Days 7 and 28 (2/7 on each day). The inflammatory process was restricted to the interstitium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Comparative efficacies of ofloxacin, cefotaxime, and doxycycline for treatment of experimental epididymitis due to Escherichia coli in rats.

The in vivo efficacy of ofloxacin was compared with those of cefotaxime and doxycycline in a rat model of epididymitis due to Escherichia coli. Treatment was started 24 h after infection and was continued for 7 days. Ofloxacin reduced the numbers of E. coli organisms in the epididymides significantly more than the other therapeutic regimens and cured the infection more frequently. Histopathological changes in the epididymides of ofloxacin-treated animals were significantly less severe than those observed in untreated animals. Doxycycline was less effective than ofloxacin but significantly reduced the titers of organisms in rat epididymides. In contrast, despite excellent in vitro activity, cefotaxime failed to reduce the magnitude of infection. The results of this study suggest that ofloxacin may be a very effective antimicrobial agent for the treatment of epididymitis due to E. coli.

Animals↗

Experimental epididymitis due to Chlamydia trachomatis in rats.

A new animal model of epididymitis due to Chlamydia trachomatis was developed. Adult male Wistar rats were inoculated in the vas deferens with C. trachomatis biovar mouse pneumonitis. After infection, C. trachomatis was recovered from the epididymides for up to 90 days. At day 30, organisms were also reisolated from the testes. Clinical findings included enlargement of infected epididymides and concurrent atrophy of the ipsilateral testes. Histological lesions in the epididymides consisted of pyogranulomatous inflammation, abscesses, and spermatic granulomas. Infection of the testis by C. trachomatis was associated with pyogranulomatous changes. In addition, testicular degeneration, characterized by moderate to severe loss of the germinal epithelium, was noted. Chlamydial antigen was detected within epithelial cells, intratubular macrophages, and macrophages in the stroma of the epididymis by immunoperoxidase staining. This rat model of chlamydial epididymitis appears to clinically and histopathologically mimic the human disease. This model offers the opportunity for further studies on the pathogenesis and sequelae of chlamydial epididymitis.

Animals↗

Recurrent haemospermia--underlying urogenital anomalies and efficacy of imaging procedures.

Recurrent haemospermia is often regarded as "essential". Following routine diagnostic procedures, we found an associated factor in 54 of 72 patients (75%). With one exception (prostatic carcinoma), the benign character of the disease was confirmed. Urogenital infection was the most frequent concomitant finding (50%); in 26 men chronic prostatis was diagnosed. Other disorders such as hypertension and coagulation disorders played a minor role. Additional investigation of the prostate gland and seminal vesicles by transrectal prostatic ultrasonography revealed persistent asymmetry of the latter glands as the main finding in 20 men (28%). In every case seminal vesicle carcinoma was excluded; haemorrhage due to cystic distension, inflammatory lesions or ductal obstruction was associated in all cases with congenital abnormalities, chronic urogenital infection, coagulation disorders or hypertension.

Adult↗

Acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis due to E. coli. Description of an animal model.

Inoculation of Escherichia coli (serotype O:6) into the bladder of male and female Mastomys (Praomys) natalensis produced severe prostatitis. In this rodent both male and female animals possess a well developed prostatic gland. The histologic and microbiologic course of the prostatic infection resembled strongly the human disease. Acute bacterial prostatitis was followed by the development of chronic bacterial or nonbacterial prostatitis. The infection persisted in some animals for up to six months. Prostatitis was observed histologically in all animals sacrificed six months postinfection. Animals responded to the infection with a rise of anti-lipopolysaccharide antibodies. No major morphologic differences were detected in the histologic pattern of the inflammatory process between animals with positive and negative bacterial cultures and between male and female animals.

Animals↗

Experimental chlamydial epididymitis.

Male Wistar rats were infected with the chlamydial agent of guinea pig inclusion conjunctivitis by inoculation of chlamydiae into the vas deferens. Epididymitis was observed in all infected animals clinically and histologically. Chlamydiae were detected in the epithelium of epididymal tubules by immunohistochemical staining (alkaline phosphatase anti-alkaline phosphatase technique). Inflammation progressed from the cauda to the corpus and caput epididymidis leading to fibrosis of the cauda epididymidis 28 days after infection. Animals responded to the infection with a rise of both serum IgM and IgG antibodies.

Animals↗

Pharmacocavernosography in the evaluation of erectile failure.

A total of 148 patients with erectile dysfunction underwent evaluation with Doppler sonography, cavernosography and intracavernous injections of papaverine. Arterial insufficiency was found in 63 patients (42.5%). Cavernosography following intracorporeal injection of papaverine revealed abnormal venous drainage from the cavernous bodies in 25 patients (17%) which, in 3 cases, was associated with Peyronie's disease. Results of vascular investigations were compared with the erectile response to the application of papaverine. Vascular insufficiency was observed in 39 of 55 patients (70%) with a poor response to papaverine. No patient with a venous insufficiency showed a good response. Nevertheless a poor response to papaverine did not exclude psychogenic impotence.

Contrast Media↗

[Long-term experiences with autoinjection therapy of papaverine in erectile dysfunction].

Long-term experience with intracavernous self-injection of papaverine in 36 patients with erectile failure is reported. The average required dose of papaverine in 2037 documented injections was 31.5 mg. The rate of complications was low with a mean follow-up of 6.9 months. Prolonged erections occurred four times. Two patients reported the development of tolerance. In one man circumscribed induration of the tunica albuginea was observed, which disappeared spontaneously after change of the injection site. No infections of the corpora cavernosa, circulatory disturbances or signs of hepatotoxicity were observed.

Adult↗

Semen parameters in men with and without proven chronic prostatitis.

In patients with complaints of chronic prostatitis, analysis of prostatic secretions for leukocytes and the use of the four-specimen technique allow a distinct classification of chronic bacterial (CBP), nonbacterial prostatitis (NBP), and prostatodynia (Pd). In this study, 32 men with CBP, 102 men with NBP, 142 men with Pd, and 42 volunteers, classified as mentioned above, underwent a two-fold ejaculate analysis using WHO criteria. Sperm count, progressive motility, range of abnormal spermatozoa, increased numbers of common bacteria, and peroxidase-positive leukocytes were analyzed. Additionally, antibody-coated bacteria (ACB), numbers of ureaplasmas in semen, and urethral colonization by chlamydia were investigated. Mean values of sperm density, motility, and morphology revealed no differences between the groups. Significant bacteriospermia (greater than or equal to 10(3) bacterial/ml) was evident in only 47% of the CBP group versus 6.8% (NBP), 16% (Pd), and 4.2% (controls). ACB was positive in 31 of 32 men with CBP versus 3 of 102 with NBP, 9 of 142 with Pd, and none of the controls. Increased numbers of leukocytes were evident in CBP and NBP patients compared to the controls (p less than or equal to 0.001) but were also present in patients of the NBP and Pd groups with chlamydial infections.

Adult↗